François Azambourg
In
a similar manner the work of designer François Azambourg relies on the
specific alienation of materials or design processes that were unusual in design
thus far. In order to keep the weight of his Very Nice Chair as low as possible
he was guided by model planes: The surfaces are made of polyester foil that contracts
when warmed, and is used to cover a support structure of thin balsa. His Pack
Chair comes as a handy folded-down package of fabric. It features two different
polyurethane components in separate chambers. Twisting a metal pin serves to perforate
the layer between the two chambers causing the components to react with one another
and enlarge their volume ten-fold. After just two minutes the material hardens
and brings the chair irreversibly into its usable form. For his fruit bowl Azambourg
had a honeycomb produced by real bees and subsequently cast it in silver. Azambourg
considers no material too alien to alienate the familiar world of design.
