Since the turn of the millennium, a new spirit of design has emerged. No longer content with producing sleek identi-kit creations, designers today are embracing a raw, surreal and idiosyncratic approach to their work. The effect is both unsettling and exciting as they create designs that are purposely imperfect and full of character. One such designer is Netherlands-based Maarten Baas, who has caused international sensations with his hand-made furniture.

Born in Amsberg Germany in 1978, Baas moved to the Netherlands as a child and graduated from the Design Academy in Eindhoven in 2002. His first commercial success was while at college when his Knuckle candleholder was put into production by Pol’s Potten. For his graduate collection – the Smoke furniture range – Baas literally set fire to old chairs and tables before coating them in an epoxy resin to preserve the charred remains. By stripping away ornament Baas diminishes the hands-off preciousness of design and brings the objects closer to their true purpose, as common tables and chairs.

The brilliantly coloured Clay series carries this idea of functional imperfection further. By hand-modelling a clay composite around basic metal structures, Baas creates organic forms that differ with each piece.

Biography

1978 Born in Amsberg, Germany

1979 Moves to Burgh-Haamstede and Hemmen in south-central Netherlands

1996 Commences design degree at Design Academy Eindhoven during which time he produces
‘Knuckle’ candleholder for Pol’s Potten and sells first version of his iconic ‘Hey, chair, Be A Bookshelf’ furniture

2000 Continues design studies at Milan Polytechnic

2002 On graduation, designs Sundial and Smoke collection. Is nominated for the René Smeets award and the Melkweg award. Completes an IKEA workshop in France and is selected for inclusion in an exhibition with the Design Academy in Tokyo.

2003 Smoke collection commissioned by Dutch label MOOOI and bought by museums and collectors such as Lidewij Edelkoort and Philippe Starck.

2004 Exhibits Smoke chandelier in "Brilliant" at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and a selection of commissioned Smoke pieces in "Where There’s Smoke" at Moss Gallery, New York and “Nocturnal Emissions” at the Groninger Museum, Netherlands.

2005 Forms professional collaboration with Bas den Herder in Eindohoven to increase production of designs

2006 Launches Clay collection at Milan Furniture Fair. Exhibits Clay furniture at Design Museum, London; Cibone, Tokyo; ICFF in New York. Clay and Smoke pieces selected for inclusion in Ian Schrager’s Gramercy Park Hotel, New York.

2006 Clay series installation in the Design Museum tank 31 October - 11 December

2007 Selector for 25/25 - Celebrating 25 Years of Design exhibition at the Design Museum 29 March - 22 June.

FURTHER READING
Visit Maarten Baas' website at maartenbaas.com