Ø
noun
a Nordic further development of merged o and e. It’s the 28th letter in the Danish version of the Latin alphabet. Ø is also a word and means island: a land area that is surrounded by water on all sides and is not a continent.
Ø was the result of my master thesis and a lifelong fascination for organic forms in interplay with interior spaces and people. I questioned our strong geometrically dominated way of living, from our building style and room arrangements, to the objects and furniture that surround us.
The concept of Ø was based on theories by Hegel and my own convictions that opposites are the condition of the other – they need each other to create balance. I amied to achieved this balance combinating geometric and organic into one shape without loss in ascetics or function.
As a Dane, I felt a need to honor Scandinavian and Danish design, my heritage, but at the same time I wanted there to be a twist of something different. Something a little radical, that defied the established norms and traditions. I dreamed of something that engaged our senses in a new way and challenged our habitual thinking in the world of living, interior, and design. In the Japanese way of life and design, I found the desired twist of difference to the Danish living and design I was looking for: their short, earth-near and legless furniture.
I found many similarities between the Danish and Japanese homely atmosphere, despite the very different living appearance. One of the biggest similarities being the philosophy of wabi sabi: the acceptance of transience and imperfection. This “don’t worry about it” mentality called “pyt” in Danish, which can manifest itself in various ways: a plaid cast over the armrest in a messy way.
Growing up on the Denmark, for me the island was a symbol of home. Ø is an object made from BauBuche: Beech laminated veneer from the German company Pollmeier. It’s made from locally sourced beech and produced through a new and highly economical process. The veneer layers of 3 mm in thickness are parallel- or cross-laminated and turned into beams, boards, and panels. An extremely versatile material, durable and very sturdy. The material attracted me because of its properties and the sustainable manufacturing process, but also to a large extent because of its amazing visual expression. The many visible layers supported the island theme as it looks like a map showing the terrain.
Ø consists of 3 parts that can be combined in various ways with the elements of a space or room. It can function as a seat, backrest, storage space, tabletop, and room divider.
+45 81 95 20 55
hallo@christine-kristensen.dk