SOUTHERN LIGHTS – launch of Origin at ASPLUND Store during Stockholm Design Week 2020

Origin will exhibit its full collection and launch new products at ASPLUND Store with an exhibition titled “Southern Lights” from 4th to 8th February 2020. The collection is a result of strong friendships and collaboration between Northern and Southern Europe, or more precisely, between Scandinavia and Portugal. The brand has collaborated with 7 Scandinavian designers, 7 Portugal-based designers, 4 international designers and 10 craftsmen/workshops to realize 18 projects over 2 years. 


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​This year, we are launching 9 projects from 9 new designers and 4 new craftsmen, introducing new materials like porcelain, sandcast aluminium, pig’s bristle and mouth-blown glass. At the same time, Asplund is also launching a new carpet designed by Singapore and Porto-based Gabriel Tan, creative director of Origin, to mark the start of the collaboration between Origin and ASPLUND. The carpet – Aurora, is inspired by the Aurora Borealis, but expressed in a colour palette derived from the Portuguese countryside, comprising of sand, stone grey and olive tones. The original artwork of the carpet was made with watercolour, this was subsequently blown up, projected and hand-tufted in Tencel botanical silk by ASPLUND’s carpet craftsmen in India.

About Origin

Origin curates and produces a line of contemporary objects by bringing designers and artisans together. We invite our designers to Portugal once a year to work with local craftsmen and visit ateliers in different towns, sharing a house and meals together. All of our objects are completely or partially handmade. We work with both individual craftsmen as well as small factories to realize our designs in numbered editions.

We publish the names of our makers, not just the names of designers, because we want to do things differently, to remind ourselves that each Origin product is made by a person who could be a father, a mother, a grandfather or a daughter... something we tend to forget in our consumption-driven culture. Our goal is to foster a deeper sense of closeness between the owner of our object, and the people who made it.

For visual stories of our products and processes visit origin-made.com or follow @originmade.

For images of the products see further down or in Mynewsdesk ASPLUND Image bank; tag; #origin

​Origin’s 2020 Collection launch

Ark Vase

The Ark vase is a result of the fascination for architectural elements - staircases, archways and the rhythm and repetitive aspect of classical architecture. The vase represents the simplicity and beauty of the architectural detail as individual archetypes, while still maintaining a tactile and functional purpose as an accessory. Combining the refinement of local craftsmanship and the raw materiality of thick-walled porcelain with a crystal glass insert, the vase has a sculptural identity of its own and can be displayed in various ways be it open, full opened or closed.

Designed by Norm Architects, made by João Monteiro in Aveiro, Portugal.

Material: Porcelain with black mica

​Krukke & Arch Fragrance Sculptures

Scent is an ancient art and smell is a universal language, looking at vessels and shapes from the beginning of times, shapes repeat them self in history and in all cultures. Krukke is a Norwegian word for a vessel in between a jar and a vase. It holds something precious like honey, homemade food or cosmetics. This Krukke holds your precious oils and a scented memory. The arch is something stabile, monumental and has strength. In home fragrance and aromatherapy you can use the fragrances to open up and disrupt patterns, just like the Arch is a doorway. Inspired by two fragrance rituals – dripping and pouring, the two fragrance sculptures are different in their way of diffusing, the Arch is instant with the drip of oils. The Krukke sets over time diffusing like a vase with flowers into the room.

Designed by Kaja Dahl, made by João Monteiro in Aveiro, Portugal.

Material: Porous, low temperature fired porcelain

Fio Hair Brush

Fio, which means “thread” in Portuguese, is a hair brush that celebrates the craftsmanship of Escovaria de Belomonte, a family-owned brush company that has been making brushes by hand since 1927. With a focus on the technique of hand tied stitching through a graphical pattern, the brush is made of pig bristle, ash wood and coloured hand tied thread. The shape of the handle allows it to stand up right.

Designed by Clara Von Zweigbergk, made by Sérgio Rodrigues in Porto, Portugal.

Material: Ash wood, colour dyed thread and pig bristle

Jug

Jug is a water jug made of clay that reinterprets the historic typology with an upright profile and ergonomic handle. To encourage the user to consume tap water instead of the PET bottle trap we propose Jug as a common object that never needs to be stored away. Its presence should remind and encourage us to consume local water while keeping the water cool with properties of porcelain.

Designed by Shane Schneck, made by João Monteiro in Aveiro, Portugal.

Material: Porcelain with black mica

Âncora Candleholder

Âncora, designed by Christian Haas, is a dinner candleholder in sandcast aluminium. Its dual cavity form enables us to display the candleholder in two ways with a simple rotation. In one position, the height is greater than the other – this allows us to create a beautiful table scape with candles at different heights. Available in a pitted semi-polished finish or raw, the candleholder is both a sculpture to admire and a functional object to make use of.

Designed by Christian Haas, made by Carlos Martins in Campanhã, Portugal

Material: Sandcast aluminium

Moer Mortar and Pestle

The Moer mortar and pestle, made from Portuguese stone and chestnut, have a simple yet sculptural expression. When in use the heavy and elongated shape of the mortar ensures a sturdy work base. When not in use the pestle rests naturally following the inner shape of the mortar creating a balanced look and indicating that it is ready for use.

Designed by Chris L. Halstrøm, made by Carlos Barbosa in Paços de Ferreira and João Monteiro in Aveiro, Portugal.

Material: Chestnut wood and porcelain

Poise Candleholders

The Poise candleholder is designed to bring light, balance and grace to your home. A subtle statement piece that seemingly allows the light to float, but always holds it solidly in place with a sculptural quality, almost like a small object in its own right. Poise is cast in metal with a raw finish and polished flat surfaces, emphasizing the qualities of the material.

Designed by Signe Hytte, made by Carlos Martins in Campanhã, Portugal

Material: Sandcast aluminium

Cube Vases

The Cube vases are pure expressions of the glass material and its blower. The tools developed to produce these cubic derivate forms are not the perfect ones not by case, so leaving the glass and its artisan space to express themselves a bit. In the glassblowing process, as in many other manufacturing processes, the evolution has been to make perfect pieces, sometimes you can’t even say an individual has been involved. Here we try to give back to the artisans the control of everything, showing up is maestry and the importance of their role – making the user feel in each object the beauty of the blown molten glass and its temper and character when being dominated.

Designed by Pedro Sottomayor, made by Cláudio Duarte in Marinha Grande, Portugal.

Material: Mouth-blown crystal glass

Cast Hammer

Hammer is one of the most primitive tool we have invented and it is still a very common tool to have at home. But most of us don't actually really a heavy duty ones. A small hammer is enough for most of our basic needs such as to put some pins on the walls or for some kitchen uses. Then I thought about designing a simple tool that fits to our daily use. It is also quite satisfying to see a hammer that can stand on its own.

Designed by Keiji Takeuchi, made by Carlos Martins in Campanhã, Portugal

Material: Sandcast brass

2019 Collection

Charred Vases

The Charred vases area family of five unique forms made in the dying art of Barro Preto – clay cooked at extremely high temperature and pressure under the earth with firewood, an almost lost technique in Portugal as there are very craftsmen who still have the knowledge and skills to do it. Gabriel Tan was most intrigued by this process when he met master potter João Lourenço who is skilled in the arts of Barro Preto. Together with João, the designer wishes to rekindle this heritage and material, while exploring unusual ways to arrange flowers through the vases.

Designed by Gabriel Tan, made by João Lourenço in Barcelos, Portugal.

Material: Barro preto

Cup Bowls

When Suave started designing the bowls, they began with the smallest of the three, making a transition between a cup and a bowl, with a very subtle base inspired by the delicate curves of porcelain teacups. Made possible by master wood turner Carlos Barbosa, the three bowls work together as a serving set as well as a sculptural nesting composition.

Designed by Suave, made by Carlos Barbosa in Paços de Ferreira, Portugal.

Material: Turned linden wood

Chubri Cup

Turned from solid Portuguese chestnut, the Chubri cup designed by Porto based Hugo Passos is a study of form, proportion and details. The edge of the cup tapers and forms a fine lip and its bottom is gently rounded. Its size is perfectly suited to fit in the cusp of one's palm. The cup is finished with food-safe mineral oil.

Designed by Hugo Passos, made by Carlos Barbosa in Paços de Ferreira, Portugal.

Material: Turned chestnut wood

Focal Candle Lamp

The Focal candle lamp is inspired by candle lamps that were common before paraffin lights became readily available. The parabola shaped spun brass dome focuses and reflects the light from a single tea-light, creating a cozy atmosphere. Focal is intended to be hung on the wall or placed on the table or shelf. The lamp is hand crafted and assembled from solid brass in Porto Portugal.

Designed by Hallgeir Homstvedt, made by Alberto Cunha and polished by Paulo Martins in Porto, Portugal.

Material: Spun solid brass

Candeia Candleholder

Mouth blown glass into wooden moulds, base in machined solid brass. The candleholder reminds of the oil lamps that were common in the designer’s childhood home. The weight of the brass base is surprising and it develops a beautiful patina with time. Its luster can be easily restored with a polish, should one wish.

Designed by Rui Alves, made by Nelson Figueiredo in Marinha Grande and Alberto Cunha / Paulo Martins in Porto, Portugal.

Adão Coat Pegs

Coat pegs in solid chestnut, hand turned by master wood turner Adão Gomes. Its concave face creates a sculptural void. In the true spirit of Origin, the designer named the coat pegs after the craftsman who made them. The coat pegs are deliberately large to bring out its sculptural presence and they are available in two shapes and sizes.

Designed by Pauline Deltour, made by Adão Gomes in Paços de Ferreira, Portugal.

Quarry Bowls

The Quarry Bowls celebrate the unique qualities and characteristics of Portuguese stone. The laminated layers highlight a different Portuguese marble or limestone and quietly recall the strata of stone blocks found in rock quarries — impressive stacks of stone that have been fused and forged together due to tectonic forces in the earth over millennia. Available in two sizes, the graphic series is an ideal catch-all, centerpiece, or fruit bowl.

Designed by Zoë Mowat, made by Ricardo Eira in Barcelos, Portugal.

Material: Ruivina Escuro, Branco Estremoz and Rosa Portugal marble

Ponte Trays

These wooden trays in Portuguese Maple and American Walnut are all about joinery details. The design carries a Portuguese signature but also Scandinavian and Japanese influence. Ponte means bridge in Portuguese and it is a set of trays that can support, highlight and transport everything one loves, moving the flavours over short distances. The smallest tray is ideal for small bites or a cup of tea, with the medium sized tray one can have his or her meal at their favorite place. The largest tray takes the table wherever one wishes.

Designed by Nuno Grade, made by Carlos Barbosa in Paços de Ferreira, Portugal.

Material: Walnut or maple wood

Salt Vases

Jean and Dylan of Ladies and Gentlemen Studio were fascinated by the textures and colors in the workshop of João Lourenço and the unexpected colors and tones that reveal when metal salts were mixed and fired. They used simple, friendly forms to complement these most iconic elements of the design, and the result are two ikebana vases, made of Pasta Grés Chamotada cooked at 1000oC, in two shapes and sizes and a variety of colors.

Designed by Ladies&Gentlemen Studio, made by João Lourenço in Barcelos, Portugal.

Material: Pasta Grés Chamotada, metallic salts​