Posts Tagged ‘fine’

The 1940s were a tough time for almost everyone, but not so for a little boy with a big imagination. Frank Owen Gehry, born and raised Ephraim Owen Goldberg in Toronto, Ontario, was intrigued with the most insignificant of articles, trash to most. Ephraim’s grandfather owned a hardware store that held many treasures in creating new and exciting little cities. Today, Frank Gehry tops the list as one of the most accomplished architects and designers in the world with his buildings and modern home furniture.

Gehrys architectural designs have received harsh criticism from designers who see his work as overshadowing a buildings intended use with an overwhelming nature. Others applaud the fresh, non-traditional role that a Gehry building offers to society and welcome his methods with awards and embrace his role as Distinguished Professor of Architecture at Columbia University and the Yale School of Architecture. He continues to receive many national, regional and local A.I.A. awards, in addition to the Pritzker Prize in 1989.

Structural design is not the only focus for the busy Canadian born designer and celebrity. Smaller, detail oriented pieces like jewelry, household items, sculptures and furniture also capture a fascination for Gehry. Easy Edges, was his first furniture line that was featured in 1969, made completely out of cardboard. The latest modern furniture creation is the Gehry Furniture Collection by Heller, featuring sturdy, whimsical and comfortable movable pieces for recreation, entertaining or everyday use.

Massive architectural designs by Gehry are located all over the world. A few of his outstanding creations include Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic, Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Bilbao, Spain. Seeming never to rest before beginning yet another unique design, Gehry is currently working on the Performing Arts Complex at the World Trade Center site, New York City and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, PA, among several other international projects.

Frank often refers to his love of sculpting and designing furniture as his ‘quick fix’ as the work does not require the months and years of intensity in architecture. But this does not diminish the quality or thought that he portrays in every design that he completes. The Gehry furniture collection by Heller proves this by the sleek, pandemic nature of the pieces. Simple in design yet complex in presence, the modular units can stand-alone or be used in dozens of different ways as groupings.

Travel doesnt have to be a deterrent in enjoying the beauty of this master of design. An arrangement of delightful cubes and chairs on a patio or living area, dotted with sparkling, sun drenched photographs of Gehry’s fine modern furniture designs will turn your home into the trip of a lifetime.

Imagine stepping back in time, say one hundred years, and comparing our present world’s landscape full of lush forests, sparkling streams and rolling hillsides to that of yesteryear. Your reaction would most likely be one of disbelief. Little by little, our society has whittled away nearly every resource given us until the demented air quality and baroness has crept up without notice. While plenty of organizations and politicians voice their support of a new ‘green’ way of life, one company in the modern furnitures business has already sprung into action.

Founded in 2000, it did not take long for Dario Antonioni, founder and director of Orange22, to recognize the need for more than just another modern design manufacturer to service the private and public sector. Many prestigious artists and designers were called upon to come up with the ultimate in creativity and to provide not one, but two plans, relative to conservation of natural resources while serving the needs of mankind.

Leading Orange22 into a new society is a dedicated staff that have been challenged by using the ingenuity and creativity that they are known for. Armed with only their skills, providing solutions for traditional furnishings without harming the environment is a large feat in itself but these artists are going one step further. Fighting problems of social plight, such as cancer, AIDS and other worldwide problems are dreams that they have chosen to tackle.

To date, Orange22 has created an initial line of Botanist furniture, known as the Botanist Blank Canvas Project. A dynamic team of designers were hand picked by Dario Antonioni, Founder and Creative Director of Orange22, to leave their artistic mark on three pieces of clean modern furniture, a bench, coffee table and end table of the Blank Canvas Series. Each designer, together with Orange22, donates a portion of the royalty to a charity or foundation of their choice.

One of the most popular pieces, a design by Antonioni and Brandon Lynne, is the Botanical Floral Bench that merges the outdoors and the inside with its floral stencil lain to one side. Powder coated in a variety of colors, this piece can adorn a hallway, living space or patio interchangeably. Both environmentally friendly and lightweight, this example of the Blank Canvas Project is perfect for any setting.

Dario hopes that his doctrine of utilizing collaboration to create positive change will resonate beyond the design community, modern home furniture, and ultimately help to affect and inspire the greater global community. Orange22 has plans for Botanist in the future, as well. Antonioni is currently working on a book called A Decade of Botanist: A Philanthropic Product, 80 designers and 80 foundations and how we’ve helped change the world.