Shining a light on Ana Kras
Auteur : Esther | 06-12-2010
I love the refreshing and exciting designs generally found in the ‘young talent zone’ of the Salone Satellite at the Salon Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. I was not able to go this year, but thanks to the numerous blogs out there, I was able to read about it. From these first-hand reports, I was inspirited by the platform, Young Serbian Designers, which is a strategic promotion of the new Serbian design scene. Ana Kraš, 26-year old Serbian designer and project lead particularly impressed me.
Born and raised during a tumultuous time of political repression in a war torn Belgrade, Ana brings beauty and life to her designs. Her minimalistic approach and practicality intrigued me as her bohemian style and use of color captivated my heart.
Ana is also an artist and photographer. Her handwriting and drawings were used for the logo on the Young Serbian Designers stand. I am also taken with the way Ana has photographed her pieces in real settings. What can I say; I love everything about this talented designer!
I hope that you will agree that there is something special about her designs.
She makes the most wonderful lampshades.
BONBON LAMPS, 2010
Bonbon is a family of LAMPS, colorful strings knitted manually over steel wire shape. The cotton that will be used for making prototypes is a leftover from a previous collection from a knitwear company called ‘Ivko-knits’.
HIVE LAMP, 2010
Hive lamp is a floor lamp version of the bonbons lamp. The body is made of oak wood and the lampshade is made of coated steel wire and cotton strings. The shade is hung on the wooden console with cotton strings. The position of the console and the height of the lamp can be changed by adjusting the cord. The lampshade of the hive lamp is one of the shades from the bonbon lamps family.
What is it that inspires you?
I don't think I'm ever aware of the inspirations, but I guess anything that makes me emotional; could be something beautiful or something ugly.
NOODLE, 2009
Noodle is a side-tables family inspired by plastic baskets for garbage, usually placed in the corner of any Serbian classroom. Noodles are made of steel wire radius 6mm and 3.8mm. On top is a loose circular plate that can be used as a tray. The table-body can be turned upside down creating two different looks. Noodles are made in three different sizes and can create a side table set or they can be used individually.
What made you decide to work in the field of design?
Since I was a kid I was always drawing and making things, so I kept on doing it, just trying to make it more serious now ;-)
I like the practical part of furniture, the fact that it is useful. That could be why I’m mostly focused on that, instead of on illustrations or painting. I am more into applied arts than arts itself when it comes to the job.
HUG CHAIR, 2008
Hug chair is a chair made of two layers of plywood. At first, the experiment was to make a chair using only wood boards, avoiding massive wood. Then, the idea was to divide the chair in two thin layers instead using a single thick one. Each layer alone is not strong enough, but together they make the strong construction of the chair. The layers are slightly displaced and they can be colored in different ways in order to make the two layers even more visible.
Has living in Belgrade influenced your design aesthetic?
Any place influences the one living in it, same goes for Belgrade. I don't like when those influences are visible in one's design. Influences should stay very shy, in approach, or sensibility, but not in a form.
In your opinion, what is the role of a woman in the field of design?
Generally I would say that a woman might be more interested in the details and colors than a man, and men would be more interested in the construction and technical aspects than women. But that’s not the case in design; it's a more natural difference as they have in everything. Overall, I don't think their roles are all too different.
What is your dream home? Or what is your ideal living space?
Ooh, I like many different things so I never know how I would choose the way my home would look like. Big big windows, high ceilings, tall plants in the middle of the space so you go around them, classical fishbone parquet, for lightning only lamps, white or light grey walls, big comfortable bed with a knitted blanket, and a wolf dog walking around.
What are your “musts” when it comes to décor?
I don't think there are any musts in anything. ;-)
Where do you go most often in Belgrade?
My favorite places are the open-air market, kalenić, and 'orač' - the traditional restaurant at the corner next to my flat.
What artists do you like?
There are many many people whose work I love. If I need to pick one it would be Michelangelo Antonioni.
What do you like to do when you have a moment for yourself?
Lately I have been so busy that when I catch a moment I love to close my eyes and rest a bit.
What are your current projects?
At the moment I am working on many things - putting my furniture in production, doing some new pieces, doing illustrations for a book of an Italian writer, and a few more lovely projects that are still kind of a secret :-)
Do you read blogs?
No, almost never.
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