MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
An empty space can feel stark, like a jail cell, but the right amount of curation and careful balance can strike the most intense feelings.
– Paul Jung
What's happening?
Spring is within touching distance. In fact, next weekend I'm looking to experience my first outdoor session of what I'd consider the most minimalist sport: bouldering. That's totally coincidental though. February isn't typically a month that fills me with much enthusiasm, but this year is a little different. With a significant Minimalissimo contribution, we are launching a couple of new side projects, one of which will be dropping as early as next week. The other will be at the tail end of the month. Words on those soon. Until then, enjoy some beautiful minimalism that we recently featured on the site.
– Carl
Features
VEARK KITCHEN TOOLS
Veark is a design-driven contemporary kitchenware company based in Copenhagen, dedicated to developing sustainable, honest, and high quality tools for everyday use. The drop forged knives are made from one single piece of stainless steel in Solingen, Germany. Rather than adding unnecessary joints, codings, or materials, this collection achieves its unique quality and appearance from the raw manufacturing process itself.
PRESSED CHAIR
As reduced as it gets. A thin 2.5mm aluminium sheet is transformed into a sustainable chair in a pressing process. As functional as it gets. Pressed Chair is lightweight, stackable, and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Conceived by Harry Thaler and produced by Nils Holger Moormann, the value of the design excels in the intent of creating a piece out of one single material without any joints or connectors.
FARBENMEER OFFICE
Located in Hamburg‘s district of Schanzenviertel, this simple, airy, and restrained two-storey office design was conceived by multidisciplinary design collective AENY (also based in Hamburg). The renovated space features soft colours and tactile textures that bring tranquility and support the notion of slowing down.
SHADES OF JUN AOKI
Based in Tokyo, architect Jun Aoki is used to radical architecture that is sprouting across the city. Yet, it's wonderful to see that design hasn’t lost its pace to commercial products and beautifully minimal visions like Aoki's work can still exist, even if it's subtle and unseen. We walk through a small selection of his works to celebrate some of our favourite designs.
GLOO
Japanese multidisciplinary studio Nendo are the makers behind a small collection of stationery items with a highly minimalist aesthetic. The works consisted of both product and graphic design for the brand GLOO. The wordmark has a subtle but clever detail: a raised corner that appears as if it needs to be glued down. The collection consists of just five items, including glue stick, tape dispenser, and roller tape glue.
ELEMENTS OF LIFE
Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa is synonymous with minimalism as a driving principle throughout his work, and has conceived many iconic objects over the years. One from 2018 is the pure black stationery collection titled Elements of Life. Produced by Chinese brand TAOBAO Choice, the collection includes a combination of technology, storage objects, and drinking utensils. Basically everything you'd need for an everyday office setup.
Supply spotlight
minimal product design made to own (and made by us):
M–02: DIGITAL
The second edition of Minimalissimo magazine is focused on insights from some of our favourite creative people. We explore areas of minimalism we appreciate the most, including the timeless architectural dwellings by John Pawson, the enticing fashion photography by Paul Jung, and the precise product and furniture design by Oki Sato. We feature an impeccable visual collection of quintessential minimalism, as well as examining the work of outstanding projects we have recently enjoyed.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
great software is timeless: a nod to iA Writer by Manu
fontshare: a free fonts service launched by the Indian Type Foundry
noise cancellation: embracing the sound of the present moment
recommended mix: playedout x Oliver Kann
This monthly edition of the Minimalissimo newsletter was supported by aprile, the hanging chair
inspired by spring days and designed by Matteo Modica, aprile is a simple suspended chair that oozes elegance—a floating seat, shaped after spring petals, swinging gently. designed and handcrafted in Italy with artisanal love.
whether you're looking for visual inspiration or design insights, you can visit our gallery to discover the very best of minimalism in art and design.
minimalissimo.com