DMY Berlin Sputnik: Fruit Bowl by Adam & Harborth

The Berlin satelite memorial towers over Berlin-Mitte

The Berlin "Sputnik Memorial" dominates Berlin-Mitte

Between 1965 and 1985 the Soviet Union launched some 57 satellites from their rocket launching base on Berlin’s Alexander Platz; thus, making Berlin the single most important launch site in the Soviet block.

Following the disintegration of first the Berlin Wall and subsequently the Warsaw Pact, satellite launches from Alexander Platz ceased and the area was converted to a nature park for tourists and those who prey on such.

In 1995 Berlin City Council erected an exact replica of a satellite and its carrier rocket on Alexander Platz to commemorate the former launch programme.

The organisers of DMY Berlin have followed Berlin’s rich satellite tradition with their “Satellite” fringe programme.

And under the title “DMY Berlin Sputnik” we will bring you our personal highlights from this years DMY Berlin Satellite programme.

DMY Berlin Sputnik: Fruit Bowl by Adam & Harborth

As you know we don’t do accessories. It’s nothing personal, it’s just how we are.

However, the moment we saw this wonderful fruit bowl by Adam & Harborth we knew we were going to have problems sticking to that rule.

And not insignificant ones at that.

Produced from solid oak and based on the turned block from which wooden toys are traditionally produced, the fruit bowl is not only an attractive method for storing, fruit, nuts and other small edibles; it is also proof that this design lark isn’t as easy as it appears.

We recently saw cabinets full of such blocks at the Dresden Folk Art Museum.

It didn’t occur to us to use the block as fruit bowl.

Which is why we are not designers.

Adam and Harborth are, which is why they can create such apparently effortlessly simple products.

In addition to the fruit bowl customers also get one wooden squirrel.

Fruit Bowl by Adam & Harborth

Fruit Bowl by Adam & Harborth

Fruit Bowl by Adam & Harborth

A clever modern use of traditional technology

Fruit Bowl by Adam & Harborth

just watch out for the squirrels...