Drift Design / Ralph Nauta and Lonneke Gordijn - Design London Tuesday, April 27, 2010 | Phillips

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  • Literature

    Helen Chislett, ' At Home Again, Naturally, The Financial Times: How To Spend It, London, 7 November 2009, pp. 66-67 for further discussion

  • Catalogue Essay

    At the lightest touch, the common dandelion disperses on the wind. A model of modular construction, its ‘parachute’ ball comprises hundreds of seeds. When loosed, they germinate endlessly. ‘Modular’ is a misnomer, as dandelions aren’t hardware—until now. Since 2006, Dutch design studio DRIFT has been developing their ‘Fragile Future’ lighting sculptures built from electrical circuits and dandelion seeds affixed to LED bulbs. Although the present series includes specific configurations (3.1, 3.2, etc.), ‘Fragile Future’ in theory can grow freely across the wall. Form follows concept: the circuit modules repeat in imitation of a dandelion propagating identical offspring; in addition, the repetition of elements references the studio’s preoccupations with mass production and with sustainability. Since graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2005, DRIFT founders Ralph Nauta and Lonneke Gordijn have turned to nature as the foundation of their built work. For example, they’re currently developing a cellulose chair which, when dissolved in water, will be potable. Gordijn states: “As a designer, it’s rare to find a beautiful shape that is not related to nature, and you can never reproduce good natural forms by using industrial processes…The only thing like a dandelion is a dandelion.” (Helen Chislett, “At Home Again, Naturally,” Financial Times: How To Spend It, London, 7 November 2009, p. 67) The metaphor rings clear: responsible design can light the way to a brighter future. We hope it’s not a fragile one.  
     
    ‘Fragile Future' was awarded the 'Light of the Future' award by the German Design Council in 2008. It also received the first prize in the Dutch art competition 'Artiparti' and the Young Talent Prize of 'Stitching MS-Research'.
     
    A similar example from the same series appeared in the exhibition 'In Praise of Shadows' at the Victoira and Albert Museum, London, 19-27 September, 2009.

27

‘Fragile Future 3.1’ modular lighting object

2007
Electrical components, phosphorus-bronze, LED lights, dandelion seeds.
84 x 130 x 30 cm. (33 x 51 1/8 x 11 3/4 in.)
Number one of four artist's proofs for the edition of eight. Front is stamped with 'FF31.1 AP'.

Estimate
£5,000 - 7,000 

Sold for £9,375

Design

28 April 2010
London