Koen Van Guijze. Willy. Image © Franziska Krieck
Design Bites
Koen Van Guijze
12 December 2021
Design bites unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market; these bites offer different views to suit all tastes. Today we talk with the designer Koen Van Guijze.
COLLECTIBLE: What do you think about the position of contemporary collectible design on the design market? How do you think the contemporary collectible design market is evolving?
Koen Van Guyze: Since a few years, collectible design is a new thing to look for. Many designers, both established and new players, take their piece of this new market. For collectors it is nice to know that some of the works are limited editions or one-of-a-kind items, that is something these clients are looking for. In the future, more of this will be presented by designers so that some of the works will gain art status. It will be normal that an interior designer will add collectible design into his portfolio, when drawing plans for their clients.
“In my opinion, collectible design brings emotion to their buyers, while massive produced pieces lack this quality.”
CC: What do you think collectible design brings compared to other more massively produced pieces?
KVG: In my opinion, collectible design brings emotion to their buyers, while massive produced pieces lack this quality. A designer puts a lot of effort in this one-off piece, and that shows off in the finished item.
CC: How do you position your city in the global design market, what makes your city unique, trends?
KVG: I work and live in Antwerp, which has always been a city that sets trends instead of other cities. We have all about fashion, with world famous designers, but also the design and the art scenes are very lively. I am sure that it always had an impact on me, as a designer. I didn’t do any studies in the design or art atmosphere, I just started painting when I was younger, and with the years I started with lighting designs for myself.
CC: A place you recently visited that inspired you.
KVG: I was commissioned by a client to make a master piece in an entrance hall. It had to be colourful and so I reached out for glass. No better city in the world than Venice in Italy to go to and to explore possibilities. The few days I spent in this gorgeous city made me feel at home. The old setting of the palazzos and their decoration gave a boost of energy to my design approach. I designed a huge glass necklace for this building, and saw the possibilities with glass, that are countless. It won’t be the last time that I will take the plane to go to Venice again for some new work.
Koen Van Guijze. Totem. Image © Franziska Krieck
Koen Van Guijze. Circuit. Image © Franziska Krieck
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Website by Chris Bonnet - notime.nolife.lpdls.com
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Website by Chris Bonnet - notime.nolife.lpdls.com