Rugs have once again become a popular medium for fresh, unabashed ideation. Art for the floor, this ultra-sophisticated furnishing typology is re-evaluated as a powerful and abundant conduit for visual representation and abstract expression. Over the past year, established producers, new startups and independent talent have debuted a range of designs that make this home accessory – once an afterthought – one of the main focal points of the interior.
The relaxation of this period of extensive exploration is Stockholm Mass productionsa productive product development practice that prides itself on purpose and clarity, always seeking to translate industrial logic through diverse mediums, including crafts. The factory is not only a source of inspiration for the methodology of its products, but also a creative conceit.
The new Cord collectiondeveloped by the studio for a boutique carpet producer MATTRESSit brings the typology back to its roots, grounding it in the logic of its construction. The four handcrafted patterns enhance the inherently practical, yet metaphysical, practicality and performance of weaving: the vertical criss-crossing of fibrous strands to achieve a flat form that is both elastic and flexible.
The fresh offering debuted earlier this year 3daysofdesign in a facility with rotating columns covered with loose-end cords. Using the material in devices that mimic large, industrial-grade car wash brushes, the display demonstrated both the dynamism and durability of carpets.
Available in Black White, Blue Brown, Rust and Oatmeal Yellow variations, the Cord emphasizes this quality through a unifying stripe across its base structure. The strategy allows what is usually a surface-level medium to be three-dimensionally perceived, both visually and tactilely.
To highlight the thinking behind this clever yet colorful line of research, Massproductions co-stars Magnus Elebäck and Chris Martin wanted to subtly play the fluid line – or even the strip – between the precision of industrial production and the faint imperfections of the human hand, mastering a tried-and-true manufacturing technique.
“We wanted to create a dialogue between the natural and the constructed,” says Martin. “By contrasting a base of wool in muted, neutral hues with a bold, artificial accent color, we struck a balance between organic and contemporary. Adding a coarser thread to the stripe was a way to give the two-dimensional weave a physical presence—a quiet dimension.”
Why don’t more products visually represent and physically embody the ingenuity of the processes involved in their manufacture?
To learn more about Creative Power Partners, visit mass productions.se and us.layeredinterior.com.
Photo courtesy of LAYERED.
