Danish designer Laerke Ryom has launched a groundbreaking furniture collection named 'Raiments', presented at the Innenkreis gallery in Copenhagen. This collection redefines traditional upholstery by embracing textile craftsmanship, treating furniture coverings more like tailored clothing than rigid fixtures. Ryom's work introduces an innovative perspective on how fabrics interact with furniture structures, highlighting the inherent life and tactile qualities of textiles. The exhibition features a range of pieces, including daybeds, various lamps, chairs, and a bench, all crafted with a focus on material sensibility and a departure from conventional design methods.
The exhibition's title, 'Raiments', is a term derived from medieval English, signifying clothing or adornment. Ryom deliberately chose this name to evoke a sense of intentionality and presentation, moving beyond mere utility. She explained that the name also connects to an era when craftsmanship held deeper significance, allowing for a more profound engagement with the artistic process. Her inspiration stems from a fascination with the relationship between textiles and furniture, believing that fabrics impart a unique sensibility to finished pieces.
The 'Raiments' collection showcases items like a daybed, both floor and wall lamps, chairs, and a bench, presented in a calming palette of cream and chocolate-brown tones. The structural components of the daybed, bench, and lamps are made from powder-coated steel, while the chair's frame is constructed from aluminium, demonstrating a blend of robust materials with delicate textile applications. Ryom’s selection of wool from Kvadrat, known for its subtle weave, allows the intricate stitching and quilting to stand out. She integrated a twill weave edge band, a traditional textile technique commonly used in both apparel and home furnishings, to further bridge the gap between clothing and furniture.
Ryom's objective was to develop upholstery that emulates the characteristics of tailored garments. Unlike conventional upholstery, which relies on stretching and stapling textiles into fixed forms, her pieces are designed to drape comfortably over the furniture's structure. This approach allows the material's natural flow and distinctive qualities to remain visible, offering a softer, more fluid aesthetic. The exhibition at Innenkreis uniquely juxtaposes Ryom's contemporary designs with historical pieces, such as a lamp by Gio Ponti and nesting tables by Josef Hoffmann. According to Zeynep Rekkali Jensen, founder of Innenkreis, this contrast emphasizes the enduring quality and artistic merit of both the new and old works, fostering a dialogue between different eras of design.
The gallery's philosophy, as articulated by Jensen, views design as a poetic expression through material and creation, where the distinction between past and present blurs. By showcasing Ryom's creations alongside established works, the exhibition highlights elements like fine production, an appreciation for utility, and the tactile experience over time. This curation not only creates a conversation between different design periods but also propels the narrative of design evolution forward. Ryom, also a co-founder of the Danish design platform Ukurant, has a history of organizing innovative exhibitions in unconventional spaces, further underscoring her commitment to pushing the boundaries of design.
The 'Raiments' collection by Laerke Ryom challenges preconceived notions of furniture design, particularly in the realm of upholstery. By drawing parallels between clothing and furniture, she has crafted a series that celebrates the softness, drape, and inherent character of textiles. Her work at Innenkreis gallery is a testament to thoughtful craftsmanship and a fresh approach to material use, inviting viewers to appreciate furniture not just as functional objects, but as pieces imbued with narrative and artistic intention, blurring the lines between adornment and utility.