Designer in Focus: Maarten Baas

April 2010

This article was produced by leading international art advisory firm 1858 Ltd who provide independent and impartial advice to HSBC Private Bank clients in all aspects of the collecting process in association with the HSBC Private Bank art and design advisory team.

Maarten Baas: Design Miami 2009 'Designer of the Year'

Over the past decade, a new spirit of design has emerged. Contemporary designers are embracing a raw and surreal approach to their work, leaving behind sleek identi-kit creations in favour of purposely imperfect and organic designs. One such designer is Netherlands based Maarten Baas, who has received international acclaim with his hand made furniture. In 2009, Baas was awarded Design Miami 2009 'Designer of the Year' - awarded each year to a designer who has made a significant contribution to the progression of design across their entire body of work.

‘Clay’ Series, 2002, Image: bonluxat.com

Baas is the fifth designer to receive the award, following in the footsteps of design greats - the Campana Brothers 2008, Tokujin Yoshioka in 2007, Marc Newson in 2006 and Zaha Hadid in 2005. At only thirty-one years of age, Maarten Baas has impacted the world of design in an unprecedented short period of time.

Maarten Baas was born in 1978 Arnsberg, Germany but moved to The Netherlands in 1979 where he grew up. Upon graduating from high school in 1996 he began his studies at the prestigious Design Academy Eindhoven. During this period, Baas designed the 'Knuckle' which was taken into production by Pol's Potten while he was still studying. In June 2002 he graduated from the Design Academy with two designs. His two design works comprised of an ingenious sundial, displaying the hours in shadow and a series of charred furniture, popularly known as the Smoke series. The highly unorthodox method of design used in the Smoke series immediately captivated the design world - Baas literally set fire to old chairs and tables before coating them in an epoxy resin to preserve the charred remains. By stripping away ornament Baas diminishes the hand-off preciousness of design and brings the objects closer to their true purpose, as common tables and chairs.

In May 2004 Baas debuted the Smoke series stateside in a solo-exhibition at Moss in New York. This monumental exhibition titled 'Where There's Smoke...' offered 25 extraordinary unique pieces. Baas, without fear or reserve, torched the classical designs of Gaudi, Eames, Rietveld, Sottsass and the Campana Brothers among many others. The "Where There's Smoke..." concept was continued in 2007, when Moss opened their new store in Los Angeles and spectacularly showcased a burned Baas 1934 Steinway grand piano.

Maarten Baas has taken an iconic ‘Wooden Chair’ which Marc Newson originally designed in 1992 for Cappellini, burned it then dropped the remains in a epoxy resin to create this ‘Where There’s Smoke’ chair. Image: Moss

Design for Baas is about exploring new forms through the use of unorthodox methods and materials. In his own words: "Furniture designs in general are introvert, rational and impersonal through the symmetry and fixed finishing touch. When you compare this kind of design with people I wouldn't feel myself at home, they are so pretentious. I want to make something that doesn't have that distant character, but something more personal, like when children are drawing or claying." From Smoke in 2002, through Clay, the hand moulded range of clay furniture he launched in 2006, to Sculpt - the enlarged series of furniture he launched in 2008, based on quick rough sketches - Baas has created some of the last decade's most recognised, talked about designs.

Focusing on creating a one new project a year, Baas pushes design boundaries by exploring, imaginatively and practically, materials, forms and different production methods.

Ultimately, his tireless ability to surprise is what sets him apart. "I don’t really want to give things a name, explanation or description," he says of his singular approach, "categories are not relevant as far as I’m concerned. I make what I want to make."

The 2009 Design Miami 'Designer of the Year' award meant that a Baas retrospective was shown at the fair in December 2009, alongside a new commission. The new collection 'Cabinet' consisted of steel cabinets made from irregular shapes of welded steel - "like abstract monsters, behaving like cabinets". Baas’ exhibition was received with enthusiastic acclaim, cementing him as one of the hottest young designers of his generation and this era. "Baas has kept the design community gripped', says Ambra Medda, "like a good movie where you can’t take your eyes off the screen, each project is like one excellent scene after another."

To learn more about the HSBC PB Art & Design Advisory service or to learn more about Martin Baas and how to find his works, please contact the dedicated helpdesk on:

T: + 44 207 692 4884
E: hsbcpb@1858ltd.com

More articles in Focus on: art and design