F5: Draga & Aurel on Lake Como, Joseph Beuys + More

Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow, known as Draga & Aurel, are a design duo celebrated for their artistic approach to materials and composition, drawing influences from fashion to traditional craftsmanship. They are pioneers in upcycling, having started their journey by reinventing furniture and objects. An early open studio event, where people brought old furnishings for reinvention, quickly grew into a significant venture, leading them to establish Draga & Aurel in 2007. Their multidisciplinary studio and workshop focus on art, collectible design, and furnishings. Their debut at Milan Design Week two years later initiated collaborations with brands like Baxter, a partnership that continues to influence their design philosophy. According to Basedow, Baxter was instrumental in professionalizing their design approach. A significant milestone in their career was the launch of the Transparency Matters collection in 2019, which marked a departure from their earlier focus on vintage items and textiles. This collection utilizes resin as the primary material, valued for its interaction with light, and is continuously updated. Obradovic draws inspiration from everyday visual stimuli, capturing images to create mood boards that fuel her imagination. For their "Friday Five" feature, Draga & Aurel share five key inspirations. The first is artist Dan Flavin, whose work on light and color deeply resonates with their own. They admire his ability to transform a common object, the neon tube, into sophisticated art with a "maximalist" effect, despite its minimalist origins. They highlight a recent exhibition "Dedications in Lights" at the Kunstmuseum Basel, one of their favorite museums, and note a permanent installation in its yard. Secondly, they express their appreciation for Superduper, a "Made in Italy" brand from Florence known for its handmade hats. They are drawn to the brand's fresh, creative, and informal style, emphasizing that hats are essential accessories for both of them. Their third inspiration is Joseph Beuys, a German artist and sculptor and a significant figure in conceptual art. His quote, "Jeder mensch ein Künstler" (everyone is an artist), profoundly influenced their approach to painting and their belief in the universal expression of creativity. Beuys is also a reference point for expanding the meaning of art. The fourth point of inspiration is The Venice Venice Hotel. They describe Venice as a city that continually surprises them with its beauty. The hotel, housed in the renovated Ca’ da Mosto Palace overlooking the Rialto, is a synthesis of architecture, fashion, art, and design, showcasing influential avant-garde movements. It is an evocative place owned by the founder of Golden Goose. Finally, their fifth inspiration is their hometown, Lake Como. They find constant inspiration in this historic town, appreciating the peace, relaxation, and freedom the lake offers, particularly enjoying sailing and discovering hidden coves and villages. They feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. The article also showcases some of Draga & Aurel's works. The "Flare Collection," an exclusive project for Todd Merrill Studio, explores color and light refraction through Lucite, an acrylic resin. This collection is inspired by Jiyong Lee's study of color's three-dimensionality and Vasa Mihich's acrylic sculptures, focusing on the concepts of composition and breakdown of matter. It premiered at Design Miami in 2023. Their exhibition "Per Speculum in Aenigmate," in collaboration with Contemporary Cluster at Palazzo Brancaccio, Rome (2022), highlighted the dialogue between Aurel K. Basedow’s pictorial works and the duo's iconic design pieces. The exhibition title, drawn from a biblical passage, focuses on "mirror" and "enigma," reflecting their practice of material experimentation, artistic creativity, function, and aesthetics. The "Heritage collection" consists of one-of-a-kind upcycled pieces, born from their passion for vintage items. They collect original vintage furniture from thrift shops and markets, then reinvent them using techniques such as screen printing, embroidery, and resin covering, drawing from their backgrounds in fashion, textiles, art, and graphic design. Each item is restored in their Como atelier. Lastly, "The power of lighthearted design – Exhibition “Tinted Hues” at Nilufar, 2024" is a collaboration with Nilufar gallery, featuring a capsule of playful objects. This collection emphasizes resin, rounded shapes, and pastel shades, exemplified by their Bon Bon lamps, Dewdrops coffee tables, and Glaze table. #DragaAurel #DesignStudio #UpcyclingDesign #MilanDesignWeek #TransparencyMatters #DanFlavin #JosephBeuys #LakeComo #CollectibleDesign #DragaAurel #DesignStudio #UpcyclingDesign #MilanDesignWeek #TransparencyMatters #DanFlavin #JosephBeuys #LakeComo #CollectibleDesign