Grassimesse 2023 Compact: Studio Machwerk

The H2L lounge chair by Studio Machwerk, as seen at Grassimesse 2023, Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Leipzig

One of the joys of Grassimesse is that it has never been about big names and star turns, anyone and everyone can apply. All you have to do is convince the jury you deserve to be there.

As newbies Studio Machwerk did. And did.

Established in 2022 (possibly 2023, yes, we’ve forgotten, but certainly not before 2022) by Christopher (Ebert) and Josef (Ehnert), both graduates of the Faculty for Angewandte Kunst in Schneeberg, a school we not only, admittedly, have long had a very soft spot for, but who in its various guises over the decades has produced a genuinely fascinating roster of alumni, Leipzig based Studio Machwerk are, in our summarisation of their words, motivated and inspired by a desire to develop furniture, furnishings, that are as ecologically and environmentally sustainable and durable as they are aesthetically and functionally.

Time will tell how that desire, that intention, expresses itself, how the product portfolio develops and understands itself and its relationships with the wider world, they are but at the beginning of their journey; however, some early impressions, both of the pair’s work, and through the opportunity for conversation with, of Christopher and Josef, can be made at the 2023 Grassimesse.

Our primary focus of Studio Machwerk’s Grassimesse presentation was very much the H2L lounge chair, a work that, if we’re correctly informed, was partly inspired by the manner in which leather is traditionally hung in wooden frames to stretch and dry it, Studio Machwerk recreating that essentially flat, 2D process in a 3D sculpture in which you can sit. And which if you stand in front of you are very much aware of the form of the cow that once wore the leather hanginng within the wooden frame,. Which sounds unnecessarily graphic, but is an apposite reminder of the importance of a careful and respectful interaction with all natural materials.

Amongst the many aspects that particularly caught our attention, apart from the satisfying width of the seat, it’s wide enough to sit cross-legged in, if that is your knees and hips still allow such, while the height at which the front stretcher has been placed allows you to rest your feet, either to keep yourself tucked up, or for balancing a book, tablet, etc, on, which is very pleasing, is and was the apparent contrast between the (relative) simplicity of the leather seat and the wooden frame. A frame that for all it is but simple wooden bars, initially strikes you as being way too complicated; but which over time, as you become better acquainted with the chair as a whole, you begin to understand not only as a very simple, unassuming, reduced to the bare bones support system, but also a structure that is in many regards essential for both the sitting comfort and sitting security of the chair. Both of which are high. Form following less function as statics. It’s an essentially brutalist, showing its workings, frame, in which no piece is unnecessary or overly luxurious. Arguably the amount of wood employed is the minimum possible to ensure comfort and stability and durability. And which for all is a very efficient construction: efficient in how it is constructed and efficient in how its construction contributes to the functioning of the whole.

And we were also particularly taken by the fact the leather can be removed, which isn’t the case in all ‘leather hung in wood’ lounge chairs, and which not only means that the leather can be removed should you wish to clean/treat it but also means it can be replaced. Whereby, arguably, it’s more likely to need replacing because you want another colour than because its damaged: realised in conjunction with Lichtenau, near Chemnitz, leatherworker Ulrich Czerny, a.k.a Czerny Lederdesign, the leather has been reinforced to prevent sagging and hanging over time, to ensure the longevity of the sitting comfort and sitting security and thus the chair. And thus not only one of many underscorings of an integral sustainability, sustainability thinking, in the work, but also through being a cooperation with a regional partner a reminder that sustainability is also social and economic.

In addition to the H2L lounge chair Studio Machwerk are also presenting a table, a mirror, serving and chopping boards and a very nice collapsible, plug’n’play, wall mounted tea light holder that not only reminds of the flat-pack metal candleholders presented in context of Willy Guhl. Thinking with Your Hands at the Museum für Gestaltung, Zürich, but also in their unmistakeable nod to the traditions of the Erzgebirge in which Schneeberg stands, tends to link Willy Guhl with Schneeberg. Which isn’t a connection we’ve ever made before. But which in many regards makes sense. And will now keep us buys for a while. Other objects we’re not ignoring, but we are running out of space.

And as noted such is just the start for Studio Machwerk, it’s going to be interesting to see how the portfolio develops, and if they can convince the 2024 Grassimesse Jury to let them exhibit.

Further information on Studio Machwerk and their portfolio can be found at https://studiomachwerk.de Or will be soon, the website is still under construction, alternatively there is, invariably, Instagram

And for all in or near Leipzig Studio Machwerk and their debut projects can be experienced at the Grassimesse, at the GRASSI Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Johannisplatz 5-11, 04103 Leipzig until Sunday 22nd October

Full details of the 2023 Grassimesse, including opening hours and ticket prices, can be found at www.grassimesse.de

Schattenspiel tea light holder by Studio Machwerk, as seen at Grassimesse 2023, Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Leipzig

Table by Studio Machwerk, as seen at Grassimesse 2023, Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Leipzig

Studio Machwerk, as seen at Grassimesse 2023, Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Leipzig