Contradictive Tendencies

Sebastian Herkner counters tradition

For many years Sebastian Herkner was known as the nice guy from Offenbach. But when looking closely at his approach, it is clear that the rebellious spirit from the German province should not have been underrated. With the start of the new year comes much expectation about these designs of his that are completely free from the German tradition.

It’s not so long ago that Sebastian Herkner would join us to wander through the halls of the Milan fair and curiously ask our opinion on different furniture pieces. We used to have intensive discussions not only about design in general, but also about specific details. We would open the debate by taking a clear position, and when somebody had found a very convincing argument for its opposite, the others would change their previous opinion. At the time, Herkner participated in many young designers’ shows, such as the Salone Satellite in Milan and Design Talents at imm cologne. All of a sudden, however, things changed. For in 2011, Herkner was awarded the design prize of the Federal Republic of Germany as best newcomer. The following year he didn’t join us for the tour of the Salone. Instead, we met him at the Moroso stand, where he proudly presented his brand new armchair called Coat. And five years later, at imm Cologne 2016, the designer is the Guest of Honour who developed Das Haus – Interiors on Stage. For- mer editions of Das Haus have been designed by Neri & Hu, Louise Campbell, Luca Nichetto, and Doshi Levin. Now the challenge has gone to a German (b.1981), a designer who still possesses the unpretentious ways of former times.

“I like it here”, Herkner says when we stepped into his studio in Offenbach recently. The small space is situated in a back building and jam-packed with tools and patterns and freshly made models, as well as a mini-kitchen. There is an island of desks in the middle, where Herkner and his fellow designers work at computers – they seem to be a family of likemind- ed souls. “Frankfurt is really close, so when I am in a mood, I go there to meet friends”, he says, smiling, full of the optimism that drove him through the last several years and that guides him towards the future. He studied at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Offenbach, near the marketplace, and afterwards remained in the city. But with Frankfurt airport nearby, he feels very connected to the whole world.

Things have not always been so easy and the designer’s work was not always as successful as it is today. For instance, his Bell Table was first showcased at the Salone Satellite and produced by a Spanish company, before Herkner went to Classicon with the product. The coffee table consists of a blown-glass base in the shape of a bell, and a circular top surface made of brass. It turns convention on its head, using the fragile material for the structure and solid brass for the ornament. Form follows material and craft, that is the belief of the designer. He is not frightened to experiment with these at different scales, and with objects that might be slightly kitsch for strict Ger- man tastes. His Container Vases for the small label Pulpo, for example, have an extremely decorative touch that might induce critics to compare them with shimmering Christmas tree baubles. But the designer does not care for style judgements. With an easy-going attitude, he happily opposes convention and follows pop culture. Sebastian Herkner grew up in a world that was not framed by Dieter Rams, and “form follows function” is not his credo. He did an internship at Stella McCartney in London during his studies. He is fonder of Memphis than of functionalism. While other designers experiment with wire that’s as thin as possible, he cheekily opts for the oppo- site. Pipe Chair for Moroso (2015) does not hide its construction but boldly reveals the large tubes at its base. Even if the backrest is in the form of an upholstered tubular curve and the structure of the chair itself might irritate, the object is a clear statement that plays with contradictions and ignores traditional rules. When it comes to the crafts, however, the designer is very devoted. “I have per- sonally always been fascinated by glass, wood, and metal”, he explains. “And I don’t want to be roman- tic about the crafts, but they are crucial to the work of designers.” It is indeed his conviction that only when they are incorporated can the quality and au- thenticity of products be established. This position also guided him to a workshop in North Zimbabwe two years ago, organised by the British Council, Al- liance Franc?aise, and the Goethe Institut. Far away from design matters in Europe, and in collabora- tion with a community of weavers, he developed a range of baskets that increases the local income. After this experience, he kept on weaving, creating a new outdoor collection for Dedon with coloured synthetic fibres. The wingback, lounger, and rocking chairs have a solid teak frame, with no distinc- tion made between indoor and outdoor use. These pieces are being presented at imm in January.

Herkner’s world spans from the crafts to the industrial and form the traditional to the contradictory. His work might not be easily accepted by everybody, but it brings a fresh and young per- spective to design in Germany. Thus the work of the designer from Offenbach might be very German and at the same time not German at all. It simply breaks with cliche?.

Text: Sandra Hofmeister
Images: Sebastian Herkner

 

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