PLANT BASED DESIGN RESIDENCY #1 - Soft Rush
In this residency organised by Passa Ao Futuro, designer Sam Baron and basket weavers Nuno Henriques and Sónia Henriques of Toino Abel got inspired by the junco bundle and Sam Baron's concept of utilizing the flower part of the reed has led to several innovations.
About
18 Oct – 1 Nov 2023 | Coz, Portugal | Passa Ao Futuro
Designer: Sam Baron, craftspeople: Nuno Henriques & Sónia Henriques of Toino Abel
Sam, Nuno and Sónia created a small collection of contemporary utilitarian objects . The residency took place at Toino Abel’s workshop which spans an area of 200 m2, with 2 manual looms, a warping mill, office, photo studio, shipping station, and ample storage space for dyed and natural soft-rush, jute and other yarn bobbins.
The Campo collection created during the residency comprises three pieces that, through shaping soft rushes, transform into either a table lamp or a semi-circular sconce. Additionally, they can be used as a tapestry, depicting a wild soft-rush field reminiscent of the Porto de Mós region, which has long been a center of Portuguese soft-rush (junco) basketry.
Inspired by the junco bundle, Sam Baron’s concept of utilizing the flower part of the reed has led to several innovations:
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The utilization of the flower section of the soft rush, typically discarded, in the construction process.
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A shift in the production process, avoiding the use of sulphate to fumigate the soft rush, thereby making it more environmentally friendly and expediting production.
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Experimentation with different weaving patterns, resulting in a gradient effect, and the use of colored cotton thread.
CAMPO TAPESTRY, 60 x 90 x 6cm (Approx. dimensions, The width of this piece can be customized upon request.); CAMPO sconce, 70 x 9 x 18cm (Approx. dimensions); CAMPO table lamp, 90 x 35cm (Approx. dimensions); photos: Nuno Henriques
Designer:
Sam Baron, designer, with degrees from the Fine Arts School of Saint Etienne and the National Decorative Arts School of Paris, challenges traditional construction methods, questioning the relevance of contemporary material production. As an independent designer, he collaborates with international brands like Dior Maison and Diptyque. Based in Portugal and France, Baron was recently honored as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Craftsman:
Inspired by his great-grandfather’s business – whom he never met -, Nuno Henriques learned the technique with the remaining local artisans and founded TOINO ABEL to preserve this tradition, introducing innovations that helped local artisans thrive, thus inspiring new producers. TOINO ABEL started producing in-house, offering dignified working conditions, breaking the piece-rate payment system, and today, thanks to the dedication to excellence, soft-rush basketry flourishes again. The brand’s emphasis on quality craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail is apparent in every piece, and TOINO ABEL is committed to responsible waste management and ensuring dignified working conditions for its team of dedicated artisans.
