In a new capsule collection titled ‘FLARE’, design studio Draga & Aurel playfully explores refraction through the application of Lucite.
The FLARE Collection by Draga & Aurel. Photography courtesy of Todd Merrill Studio
Words by Roddy Clarke
After premiering it at Design Miami in December, the Italian design studio Draga & Aurel has now officially launched its new FLARE capsule collection featuring a series of tables and sculptural works made from Lucite, beautifully combining the worlds of art and design. Staying true to the retro-futuristic aesthetic they have become renowned for, the duo is exploring the playfulness of refraction and its impact within functional design pieces.
Lucite, a trademarked version of acrylic resin which was developed in 1937, is processed by hand and can be created in a vast array of colours and hues. With the studio also known for its ingenious application of resin materials, as seen in its 2019 collection ‘Transparency Matters’, this is another example of how they bring furniture to life through an intersection of colour and light. FLARE, which includes seven coffee tables and a totem-style sculpture, also exemplifies the beauty of functional art and how vivacious pops of colour can be added into furniture design in an elevated and sophisticated way.
The FLARE Collection by Draga & Aurel. Photography courtesy of Todd Merrill Studio
Collaborating with artisanal experts based in Lake Como, where the studio is based, the pieces are formed from coloured Lucite sheets in varying shapes and thicknesses. After being cut and placed together, the sections are secured which then results in an electrifying mix of colours and effects, creating a visual feast for the viewer. The duo say they took inspiration from the complex techniques used in the creation of American artist Vasa Mihich’s resin sculptures, as well as South Korean artist Jiyong Lee’s study of colour and its three-dimensional forms. Through their own unique lens, the FLARE collection brings a new dynamic to the material with a sense of movement that is emitted when the surrounding ambiance changes.
Named after the visual display of a flare itself, the collection’s evocative allure certainly brings a sense of magic to the home. “FLARE is a spark of colour that explodes, frees itself, and takes shape,” says Draga Obradovic. “It’s joy, experimentation, intuition, and freedom of expression.” Their love for experimentation is something that has guided the studio since its inception in 2007. While embarking on a range of multidisciplinary projects, the duo initially began their creative journey in upcycling, elevating the aesthetic of the craft and pioneering it as an art form. Since then, they have gone on to partner with established galleries such as Rossana Orlandi and Nilufar.
The FLARE Collection by Draga & Aurel. Photography courtesy of Todd Merrill Studio
This collection, which is exclusive to the New York gallery Todd Merrill Studio, is a wonderful example of Draga & Aurel’s evolution and how the duo’s skillsets in art, fashion, and craft, have seamlessly come together resulting in the creative identity that shapes the studio today. And, in its ongoing exchange between art and design, exciting collections such as FLARE continue to turn the heads of multiple creative sectors, while adding verve and style to interiors all over the world.
The FLARE Collection is available to purchase via Todd Merrill Studio, price on request. toddmerrillstudio.com
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