The “1858” furniture collection designed by Studio Formafantasma (table, bookshelf, shelves, consoles, chair, bench, desk and a stool) is made of natural solid spruce, sourced from the Fiemme Valley forest in Northern Italy, an area that was devastated by the storm Vaia in October 2018.The group of works is produced by Giustini / Stagetti and the edition varies from 6 to 12 pieces + 2 AP.
For the prototypes, the wood of a single spruce tree – just one of approximately fourteen million uprooted by the catastrophic storm – was used. The title of the collection, “1858”, refers to the year this tree developed its first ring.The pieces are characterized by an extremely concise and simple costruction, as well as by a geometric vistuosity. By this, we mean that, if on the one hand they represent the minimalistic aesthetics of the 20th century masters, then on the other hand, they can be distinguished by their versatile formal sleekness, typical of contemporary design. The designers were able to give a particular transparent and glossy finish to the furnishings by using a lacquering process traditionally used in the construction of musical instruments. This lacquering process allows the grain of the wood to show through, while also making quite tough exteriors. The “1858” collection was first shown at their solo exhibition “Cambio” which was held at the Serpentine Galleries in London (2020). Subsequently, it was shown at the Centro Pecci per l’Arte Contemporanea in Prato and at the Museum für Gestaltung in Zürich (2021)