Thursday Salute to Originals: The New “www”
“In today’s western society, digital communication, networking and the web 2.0 are parts of our daily life. The constant ‘real time’ connection is changing us, our environment and the perception of it. On the threshold of the post-digital society, the limits of space and time are abolished. Physical dematerialization is a true consequence.” – Victor Matic
Viktor Matic, an Italy-based Yugoslavian designer, has re-adapted notions of traditional furniture design to suit an ever-changing society that has lost value in “one-size fits all” products. Recognizing that personal modification is no longer a wish, but an expectation, Matic has a launched “www” bookshelves, a bold furniture line that keeps the end-user at the forefront. With surfaces of strings that connect and transform into other new surfaces, he believes the product is truly “a shelf with a digital angle”.
Though “www” may be considered a modern interpretation of the traditional shelf archetype, Matic describes the line as a reaction to the digitization of the world, representing a dematerialized Bauhaus product; the bookshelf has gained fame simply because it lacks a definite state. Users have the opportunity to adjust the size, angle, and placement of strings to create shelves suited for a specific object or appearance. It’s complex arrangement of parts not only make it a modular system, but also a type of installation in an ever changing space, giving users personal control over their furniture.
One of the most unique qualities of “www” is the layering involved in the success of the design. Wood and string loop into and around one another, which create different opacities and patterns as a person’s viewpoint changes. The tension in the bright blue strings allow the shelves to carry the heavy weight of books more effectively than typical counterparts, such as wood or plastic.
Carefully balancing form with function, beauty with strength, and tradition with whimsy, Matic is shaping the future for furniture design within the digital age. His “www” creations will continue to inspire other designers to create adaptable furniture capable of suiting the ever-changing needs of society. We salute his work for the simple notion that providing user flexibility completely transforms the interpretation of a piece.
Credits: Architizer, Viktor Matic