Where There’s Smoke...

Smoke was Baas’ graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven (NL). It was the result of his research on beauty and perfection. “In nature, everything is in flux, which creates a certain beauty. Yet, it’s a very human tendency to keep things as they are supposed to be and keep them beautiful as they originally were. Smoke plays with both perceptions of beauty.” 

After the pieces are charcoaled, they’re preserved in clear epoxy resin, which makes them firm enough to become functional again. Ever since the first pieces were made in 2002, the collection has expanded by various commissions both for museums as well as private clients. In 2004, Moss gallery in New York (US) collaborated on the Where There’s Smoke… series: a collection of design classics by Rietveld, Gaudi, Eames, Sottsass and other design icons, burnt by Maarten Baas.

 

Image 1. Smoke Hill House chair by Mackintosh
Image 2. Smoke Zig Zag chair by Rietveld
Image 3. Smoke Hill House chair by Mackintosh detailing
Image 4. Smoke Wooden chair by Marc Newson
Image 5. Smoke Carlton room divider by Sottsass
Image 6. Smoke Carlton room divider by Sottsass
Image 7. Smoke Favela chair by Campana brothers