Forged in Curiosity
Zuzanna and Christian, we'd love to hear your story—how did the two of you meet?
It was a tumultuous heavy screech of a metal beam. Bent by Zuzanna’s swings. She crashed a party with her fender-swing installed on a rusty gate at Lambrate Milano, where Christian was exhibiting in a group show in April 2013. Their paths crossed again when working that summer at Domaine de Boisbuchet and they continued working together ever since. Sharing the attitude of working independently while realizing projects fuelled by curiosity and exploration.
Your passion for objects is truly inspiring—where does this fascination stem from? Was there a defining moment or experience behind it?
This passion stems from creating our own universe of objects we want to live with. Either we have an object in mind and we can’t find the desired quality, shape or function. Then we venture to make our own interpretation. For example, with our bottle project Tilt. The dissatisfaction with the current offer of refillable water bottles in terms of quality, ethical production and aesthetics lead to Tilt. Its a sculptural water bottle featuring a tilted spout that allows effortless refill under any tab or fountain. Made in Switzerland with the precision of a watch and a commitment to respect nature and people. (Now available at Highsnobiety store, Unter den Linden 40, Berlin). Or we have forms in mind that we are curious to explore. This happens more through drawings and physical experimentation. For example with our Elephant Guard Table, the spark was to create a table you want to touch, with no sharp corners, welds or joints. The choice of material followed the challenging seamless form. The table ended up being casted in one piece in post consumer aluminium.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from? What sparks your imagination and fuels your artistic vision?
For Zuzanna it’s from her collection of visual obsessions, harvested through photos and drawings. From voluptuous female legs, architectural arches, metal construction elements to haute couture. For Christian it is from being in a perceptive mood, playing with materials and visiting factories. Currently we were playing with a large stock of discarded industrial lighting from a supermarket (name starting with "M"). Initially asking for a few, we were told it was all or nothing—and we had until 4 p.m. to decide. So we took them all. Some lights now brighten our Zurich studio, but the surplus sparked new ideas. Recontextualized with bespoke elements, the lamps became sculptural light pieces—hybrid lanterns reminiscent of glowing financial district cityscapes and faceted metallic crystalline forms. The series named Succession bridges redundant utility and reinterpretation, merging traces of the past with a sense of future nostalgia and quiet transformation.
Is there a particular project that holds a special place in your hearts? What makes it stand out and so memorable for you?
Honey Experience is a circular, multi-sensory art installation that explores the theme of bees as crucial pollinators facing a decline, despite their vital role in maintaining the planet's ecosystem. The sculptures, fitted with neons that mimic the warm glow of candlelight, serve as a reflection of the historical significance of bees, which were traditionally kept for their candle wax rather than honey production. A total of 130 square meters of aromatic natural beeswax was applied to upholster 18 colossal honeycombs. After the exhibition, all the wax was returned to beekeepers for reuse in their hives. It was a pleasure to work with this beautiful natural material. It’s also important for us that this large art installation is completely circular. It’s a project we have a craving for to showcase again in a great location that would reach out to a bigger audience.
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Fotos: © Altherr/Weiss