omar /raawii is a ceramic series designed by Omar Sosa for raawii with photography by David Luraschi and a short story by Olimpia Zagnoli.
The collection consists of two bowls (deep and shallow), a carafe, and a vase, and they’re all available in 9 perfectly harmonious colours (tawny, electric blue, cinnamon, strong coral, smoke green, dark blue, mustard, soft yellow, pink nude). All the colours can be combined with one another, and all the shapes are stackable. All the products are glazed earthenware and slip-cast.
The collection will be on sale from November 2021 exclusively for NET-A-PORTER.
“The index and the middle finger walk through a temporary city made of multicoloured arenas, glazed squares and cobalt chimneys. Windowless coliseums hide pools of tap water and forests of salad. A daisy peaks out of a satin smokestack. Its soft, heavy petals fall silently on the ground below. The two fingers climb up a tower to look at the view from above. A giant starfish lies below, sleepy in the dazzling sun.” (Olimpia Zagnoli)
Robin Sara Stauder in conversation with Omar Sosa:
What is the idea behind the project? How do the products interact with their context?
The process was more like composing a jazz piece than a collection of objects. Improvisation, friendship and openness were the basic ingredients. We discussed the idea for years, then went to the factory in Portugal and spent several days understanding the process. After that was assimilated I tried different form combinations that were eventually executed in plaster. That system allowed me to have total control over the curves and also experience the objects in real size as they were being designed. After one piece was made the rest followed. I haven’t designed these pieces to exist in a determined context, I would like people to combine colours and use them as they wish. I find that very gratifying.
You say there’s no value in predictability. It reminds me of a quote from Douglas Adams: “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be”. What are the ‘accidents’ that took you there?
I really believe causes and conditions always lead what you do, even unconsciously. I find a lot of value in unpredictability. When you create something, that object starts a life on its own that you can not really control anymore. I find that amazing.
How can design be democratic? Can democracy be considered a radical choice today?
I always thought we should first define democracy before considering an answer. I think there are hundreds of designs out there that have made people’s lives easier, given them access to goods they didn’t have before and improved their lives. If that’s what is considered democratic on design I don’t think this collection belongs there, I would be too arrogant to think so.
The protagonists of the collection:
omar /raawii is a ceramic series designed by Omar Sosa for raawii with photography by David Luraschi and a short story by Olimpia Zagnoli.
Nicholai Wiig-Hansen
Nicholai Wiig-Hansen founded his own design studio in 1990. Since then, he has continued to challenge himself and captivate the industry with a diverse range of designs: from chairs and tables to lamps and vacuum jugs. Examples include the popular Jules desk chair and the equally popular PS Locker for IKEA, the Sintra table for Frama, the Night Owl lamp for Fritz Hansen and the Geo vacuum jug for Normann Copenhagen. Archetypal products – with a twist. Proportions and colours are always carefully considered and details are only added if they serve a functional or aesthetic purpose.
Omar Sosa
Barcelona born creative director, editor and publisher. In 2008, he co-founded the seminal interiors publication Apartamento. In addition of publishing Apartamento, Omar has edited and designed a number of books including Nathalie Du Pasquier: Don’t Take These Drawings Seriously (PowerHouse) and Patricia Urquiola: It’s Time To Make a Book (Rizzoli). In 2020 he curated a group show called Comfort at Friedman Benda. Omar Sosa works as Creative Director for a number of design, lifestyle and real state companies under Apartamento’s design agency Apartamento Studios.
David Luraschi
He is French-American photographer based in Paris, France. He holds a BA in Film Studies from San Francisco State University, California and a MA in Art Direction from Ecal, Switzerland. He is a regular contributor to publications like the American Vogue, M Le Monde or Apartamento. His artwork has been exhibited in Europe, the US & Asia and featured in books including Neapolis (Ill-Studio, 2014) or Marseille je t’aime (Jacquemus, 2017). In the summer of 2021 Luraschi released a photographic book titled “Ensemble”, in collaboration with the publisher Loose Joints expanding on a project initiated by Simon Porte Jacquemus in 2017.
Olimpia Zagnoli
She was born on a leap year in a small city in Northern Italy. She works as an illustrator for The New Yorker, Fendi, Taschen, The New York Times, Apartmento. Her visual vocabulary is characterised by neat shapes and vibrant colours. She lives in Milan in a house with kaleidoscopic floors. Her next solo exhibition, ‘Caleidoscopica’, will be inaugurated at Palazzo Magnani (Reggio Emilia) on 24th September.
raawii
Founded in 2017 by Bo Raahauge and Nicholai Wiig-Hansen, raawii creates long-standing designs that leave lasting impressions in the form of versatile and refined products that give edge to any decor. Their mindset and work are guided by three core goals: creating well, proportioned products that are made to last-producing with respect for people and society, providing optimal conditions for creatives.