Dezeen Magazine

Chris Kabel casts found objects in bronze for Fogo Island hotel key fobs

Dutch designer Chris Kabel has created key fobs from found objects and glowing curtains reminiscent of the Northern Lights for the Fogo Island Inn hotel on an isolated Canadian island (+ slideshow).

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Fogo Finds: a collection of 29 bronze key fobs

Fogo Island is a tiny island off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, close to the Artic Circle, which houses live-in artists' studios and cabins as part of an ongoing residency programme.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Flower key fob

Chris Kabel's cast 29 "found objects" in bronze to create the Fogo Finds key fobs for the Fogo Island Inn, designed by Saunders Architects and built in 2013, which has 29 guest rooms along with public spaces including an art gallery curated by Fogo Island Arts and a library specialising in the local region.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island

The objects were all found on the island: washed up on the shore, in a fisherman's shed and even in the local supermarket.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Iron nail key fob

They include a snub-nosed cod head and a native Beothuk Indian spearhead, made from an iron nail likely to be have been stolen from the first European settlers.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island

Hanging together behind the reception desk of the hotel, the bronze of the 29 fobs contrasts with the plain black wall behind, creating a museum-like display that provides hints about life on Fogo Island.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Bullet key fob

Kabel also developed Woven Night Skies, curtains that mimic the Northern Lights, for the hotel's conference room in collaboration with Netherlands-based TextielLab.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Brass key fobs on display

The curtains for the room's north facing windows use digitally-produced patterns, a glow-in-the-dark cotton yarn and a weaving technique that enables a subtle gradient between colours.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Woven Night Skies textile. Photograph by Paddy Barry

While the conference room lights are on, the yarn absorbs the light. When the lights are turned off for a presentation, the yarn emits a soft light, creating an ethereal glow reminiscent of the Northern Lights.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Woven Night Skies textile. Photograph by Paddy Barry

The island is home to secluded cabins designed by Saunders Architecture that are used as artist studios - see a slideshow of the completed retreats.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Woven Night Skies textile in the dark. Photograph by Paddy Barry

Wooden furniture for the inn and outdoor spaces around the island was created by Ineke Hans based on traditional Canadian designs.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Woven Night Skies textile in the dark. Photograph by Paddy Barry

Photography is by Mathijs Labadie unless otherwise stated.

Chris Kabel key fobs and curtains for Fogo Island
Woven Night Skies textile in the dark. Photograph by Paddy Barry