CHAMPIONS is a collection of laquered tables produced exclusively for Galerie Kreo in Paris.
The tables are made of aluminium (extrusions and folded sheet) with tops in float glass. PODIFY, the largest table measures 3.5m
in length.

The graphics applied on the tables are fictional. They have no meaning other than creating an illusion which outgrows the objective reality of the product. The inspiration is obviously taken from sports (racing cars, bikes, skis etc.) which is a world in which the presumption of speed, performance, strength is heavily pushed. The project is not just about surface decoration. I am interested in the psychology of graphics in relation to products and more specifically, how the semantics of certain colours, words, symbols can change the perception of an object.

The graphics are spray-painted by a laquerer whose extraordinary skill and craftsmanship became a crucial factor in the process of realizing the project.

"By transferring the precision that derives from the research and design process from his industrial product designs to these new gallery bound tables, Grcic has been able to question these two genealogies central to the history of product design: of Prouve, Breuer and Rams with their strict principles and geometries on the one hand, and Studio Alchimia and Memphis, with their panoply of ersatz decorative signs and playfully Pop shapes on the other. Instead of just being a tautological game, this is nothing less than a speculative design process aimed at generating a vocabulary of product design for the future."
Excerpt taken from a text by art critic Alex Coles.

The CHAMPIONS collection consists of 4 large tables (APACHE, BANZAI, JETDOG, PODIFY) and 4 small tables (MONROE, NADA, JAXONE, 465). Each table is produced as an edition of six.

The exhibition CHAMPIONS is on show at Galerie Kreo from 11th June unitl 23rd July 2011.

Project assistant: Jan Heinzelmann (KGID)
Laquering: Walter Maurer, Art + Design Works
Producer: Galerie Kreo, Paris