valerie objects Dessert plate Grey Ceramic. Dimensions: 21.9 × 20.8 cm x
H 1 cm. Dutch designer Maarten Baas is known for his iconoclastic, whimsical
creations that disrupt traditional typologies. Through his controversial
experimental work, Maarten Baas overturns preconceived ideas. He has forged his
own world, happily pushing the boundaries of design to show another reality made
up of strangeness, optical effects, illusion, play. In collaboration with the
Antwerp label Valérie Objects, Maarten Baas has created a complete set of
tableware : objects with assumed irregularities and a „handmade“ feel. As
ever, Maarten Baas likes to jostle the lines, create irregularity and asymmetry
to make his objects more human. Named „Inner Circle“, his tableware
collection refers to our inner circle, those with whom we like to share great
times around the table, as well as the design that’s at the centre of the
collection: the circle. Maarten Baas explains: “I discovered that all
tableware is made up of circles within circles.” Maarten Baas favoured
spontaneity over perfect symmetry by drawing spontaneous, irregularly shaped
circles freehand. They were literally translated into tableware, making these
objects the materialisation of imperfect concentric circles. Each object thus
declines the shape of the circle roughly drawn by hand. In a world where
machines are made to produce straight lines, Maarten Baas' irregular shapes are
a real technical challenge to achieve. This range of tableware favours
naturalness and irregular shapes rather than perfection, communicating an
artisanal idea. The asymmetrical curved, soft lines break with our very strict,
linear everyday environments. Far from the codes and usual wise rectilinear
lines, the irregular, imperfect organic shapes, the rugged contours of these
pieces halfway between design and art really stand out. Once placed on the
table, these items inject an unexpected, calm, authentic atmosphere into
the decor.
