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Repacked by Studio Makkink & Bey

Dutch designers Studio Makkink & Bey have created a furniture collection in which every element - from carpentry to embroidery - is produced in their studio by a hired team of artisans.

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The Repacked collection, which is on show at Mitterrand+Cramer gallery in Geneva, Switzerland, consists of 19 handmade pieces.

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The display forms part of a series of exhibitions at the gallery showcasing work by contemporary designers, which has so far included Belgian designers Studio Job and British designer Tom Dixon (see our previous story).

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Repacked continues at Mitterrand+Cramer until 11 July.

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Here are some more details from Mitterrand+Cramer:

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Studio Makkink & Bey

Simultaneously to the common opening night of the « QuARTier des Bains », Edward Mitterrand and Stéphanie Cramer are pleased to announce the third episode of a series of exhibitions dedicated to a selection of the most prominent contemporary designers.

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Thus, after Studio Job and Tom Dixon, Mitterrand+Cramer, helped by swiss design curators Sophie et Philippe Cramer, are now proud to inaugurate the first solo exhibition in Switzerland by architecture and design studio Studio Makkink & Bey.

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Fusing the best of both creative worlds, architect Rianne Makkink and designer Jurgen Bey founded Studio Makkink & Bey in 2002 and have enjoyed the benefits of joint talents and joint minds ever since.

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On the occasion of RePacked they have selected a special team to design and handcraft all of the 19 pieces exhibited which are handmade by the studio: the embroidery, woodwork, blue foam pieces.

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The Dutch designers imagined this project with the idea of re-interpretation, re-use of studio projects fitted for a contemporary art gallery exhibition.

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Some of the pieces were especially made for the gallery and have never been shown before.

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The Centerpieces for instance are created by stacking wooden crates and showcases, the most precious and vulnerable items being safely packed in the core of the stack.

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The idea is that the piece will reveal itself like a matroeska.

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Other works, like the Social sculptures and the Hommage to Rietveld furniture have been re-interpreted as special editions for the gallery.

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The Crate Cabinets was a project launched in 2003-2004, in which packing material was given a new meaning.

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The Crate is the packing and the Cabinet at the same time.

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For this project Studio Makkink & Bey used -instead of a wooden box- more delicate and precious materials, like plexiglass.

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This way, you can see through the cabinet, it becomes the ultimate showcase.

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Studio Makkink & Bey is helmed by Dutch designer Jurgen Bey, who is known for his innovative designs and commitment to design education and research, Together with architect Rianne Makkink.

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Bey is a Senior Design Tutor in the Design Products Department at the Royal College of Art (London) and continues to run his design studio in Rotterdam.

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The philosophy of Studio Makkink & Bey is 'to consider urban and architectural planning as being indissolubly linked to the design of products'.

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Studio Makkink & Bey has been commissioned by Swarovski, Jean Paul Gaultier, Sketch in London, and has exhibited at Centre Pompidou, Stedelijk Museum, and the V&A Museum among other venues.

More Dezeen stories about Studio Makkink & Bey:

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Work Sofa

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Ear chair

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Droog Store New York

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Witness Flat

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Cleanliness is next to Godliness