Wealth Redistribution? There is a lot of great material in the newest T Style Magazine � Design & Living Winter 2007. The first article we chose to tackle was Re-Arranging the Furniture, a look at Tom Dixon and how he's challenging the conventions of the furniture business. Dixon talks about modernizing the business in a way that flips it on its head � giving away furniture...
He achieves this through sponsorships and by selling limited editions for many thousands of dollars (financing the giveaways). He's already done this twice in London with 2006's Great Chair Grab and this year's Great Light Giveaway. Now he is planning a similar giveaway in New York, funded by limited edition chairs currently on sale at Moss. He has also challenged convention with his 2nd Cycle program he initiated as creative director for Artek. This short piece is a must read!
(Pics: Nadav Kander, Tom Dixon)
Related Links:
• NYT: Artek
• Tom Dixon's Wire Dining Chairs
• Slab Table by Tom Dixon
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
Hmm, maybe the folks in the furniture biz could just narrow the gap between the $35,000 chair and the freebie.
That alone would be pretty revolutionary.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
The article implies that the Great Chair Grab was a PR stunt designed to increase the visibility/name recognition of the Expanded Polystyrene Packaging Group... I don't think Dixon is challenging the conventions of the furniture business--which might involve producing well-designed furniture pieces made to last, sold for a reasonable price--so much as increasing the range of advertising options.
view davidasposted's profile