Tom Dixon
Pic 1
'S Chair'
The ‘S’
chair is such an organic shape with a modern movement to it. It makes you
think, 'am l going to stay on this one?' Your
eye actually follows the curve in the chair. The young untrained designer Tom
Dixon with his welded salvage furniture- created his first piece in the 1980’s,
setting up ‘Space’ for himself and other young designers. His inspiration for
the chair was a ’rooster’, or the shape and curve of the bird. By the late
1980’s Tom was working for Capellini to whom he designed the ‘S’ Chair.
Some chairs
were covered with a patterned material and others were covered in a bulrush thick
fiber of native Britain, a twine over a welded steel frame. Brightly coloured
or covered in natural fibers, the chairs are still a statement to this day, and
early work are in many museums.
The use of
metal lends to Toms old days welding and producing furniture from scrap metal.
The work with recycled materials influenced a generation of designers.
In his
early career he did not use drawings but instead built the chair altering and
changing it in his
studio. The name of the chair is a reference to the ‘S’ shape.
About 60 original chairs were built in the studio, production and manufacturing
then taken over by Capellini with a few different variants made. Height 102cm, Width: 52cm and Depth 61cm. The
thickly textured rush work and leather, distinguishes the early chairs from
commercially produced Capellini versions.
Tom was in the
center of the ‘heavy metal’ boom in the mid-80’s in Britain, Tom was
instrumental in his role along with Nick Jones and Mark Brazier-Jones as part
of the group ‘Creative Salvage’.
References:
Pic 2
'Jack' and Jack Family Lighting
A very
modern light that looks like a heap of caterpillar eggs joined together. You
want to touch and study these lights that were Tom Dixons first experiments
with plastic. Some could see the mathematics and geometry angle but l see
modern fun!
“There is a
purity about shapes known as plutonic solids, and when you learn to recognize
them they start to appear in everything-nature, crystals, seed pods, black
magic!!??, Islamic Architecture” said Tom.
The scale
and shape of ‘Jack’ vary as with their use, from table stands to large featured
lights to bronze and black objects known as ‘the family.’ Made by air
rotational molding using polythene pellets and rotating at a high temperature,
giving the wall its thickness.
Jack fits
into any modern space and is referred to by Tom as ‘sitting, stacking, lighting
thing’. ‘Jack’ made Tom a household name in the 90’s and he went onto design
for his own company ‘Euro lounge’. In ’93 he participated in the greatest
British furniture design of the 20th century in Bremerhaven, Germany
and went onto becoming the head of design for the company Habitat and taking on
the responsibility of rejuvenating the company. This was a far call from the young
man who started welding and is a self-taught designer.
One becomes
attached to these art pieces and being able to use them around the house, gives
purpose and connection.
References:
Pic 3
'Dome Mirror'
The dome
mirror which is typical Dixon has no frame. The shape protrudes from the wall
and comes in different sizes. On a wall it would demand space and has an innovative
finish. The mirror is a statement piece that’s stands on ‘its own’. Looking at
the mirror you get a sense of ‘Space’, like spaceship and ultramodern.
Made from
chromed glass a small mirror with a width of 40 cm would sell for around
2,630.00 pounds. I also found a Tom Dixon Convex mirror as shown below, but once
again no details.
I was finding it difficult to get any
information on the mirror, few pictures but no stories. As l have been
searching, I can’t help wondering if the security mirrors or ‘eyes’ and the ‘intersection
or traffic’ mirrors were inspired by Tom Dixon, although l can’t find any
evidence of this.
On designs
and homes Tom was asked what his home was like by ‘The Guardian’ and he replied,
“I have an old water tower, but l am not allowed to live there, the women in my
life keep me in a Georgian house.” (Wife and two daughters). “They see the
tower as a male fantasy, which it kind of is.”
Looking at
the era Tom is from and the modern work he produces, I get the feeling Tom
still loves his welding and creating. He has a pottery workspace in his home
and takes workshops, although l don’t see how he would have time for this.
Loving being hands on with his creating, his work sells in 65 countries and has
recently added a textile and accessories range.
References:
'Convex Mirror'
Pic 4
'Sandwich Bar @ Harrods'
This new
café takes inspiration from classic London. To look at this design from Tom, he
has used hues of deep green, dark blue and burgundy. Looking at these
colorings, I feel the basic colours given is incorrect and a little drab, as
the colours are certainly not. I’d say a dark ‘teal’ instead of dark green and
a ‘pink purple’ on the chairs instead of burgundy. Looking at the walls where
the blue is, I’d say more ‘indigo’ on the bricks as they are quite dark. Adding accessories of copper and plain wood
chairs. Gold and brass pendant lights.
At a glance
it is clean lines and a touch of Scandi with the wooden unpainted chairs. Very
inviting and the greenery brings the building to life. Tabletops are marble and
round adding another texture.
Being re
fashioned this new sandwich bar compliments the world renowned department store
which has Tom’s accessories for sale nearby.
References:
(Accessed 2/8/2018)
Pic 5
'Copper Sphere Lighting Pendant'
What you
see is a sophisticated copper shade that looks like you want to hold it. Coming
in different sizes the trend is to ‘cluster’ for an effect. They can be hung
long or short in any home being modern or vintage.
Made by
using vacuum metallization technology, the copper coating is vaporized then
applied to the orb through suction via an electronic charge. The end result is
this seamless surface in a perfect sphere. Vacuum metallization was commonly
used in producing sunglasses and space helmet visors.
These
spheres provide abundant and unusual luminosity which has been perfected by
working with some forerunners of German engineering to create reflectivity and
transparency. The copper ‘family’
Comprises
of four different shaped pendants in different sizes.
References:
Pic 6
'Pylon Chair'
The Pylon
Chair and the Pylon Family which includes a base to a glass table top and coat
stand, made from the light weight 3 mm diameter steel rod which is triangulated
for maximum strength. On looking at this chair you wonder how it could be
strong enough. Pylon was made in Dixon's studio in the early nineties with the
intention of making the world’s lightest chair.
The
original inspirations which ranged from early computer programming and architectural
models of bridges are a stepping stone in self-taught structural engineering. Chairs
sell for 4,000 pounds upwards. Pylon is classed as a semi-transparent and
lightweight occasional piece and a celebration of the triangles simple
symmetrical shape.
It is a
signature piece for Dixon, seen all over the world the ‘Pylon Chairs’ fits
comfortably in rooms and creates space with its structure.
References:
Pic 7
'Beat Lights'
Capturing
the essence of Tom’s metal work in these beautiful shaped lights made of
salvaged and soldered metal. Shown as his first solo collection at Ron Arad’s
showroom, a one off- in Covent Garden.
Dixon
described these pieces as “bits and pieces of whatever was around’. All made of
cast off metal making a functional item and reflecting golden light. Fashioned
around the Indian water vessel these items are still crafted by hand using
traditional techniques.
In 2004 Tom
was involved in a project to create alternative possibilities in the rapidly
declining industry of craftsmen. The ‘Beat’ light was instigated during a NGO
development project undertaken by the British City Council in 2002. This scheme
helped maintain and develop the skills of street metal workers of Rajashan.
Each ‘Beat’ light is made by hand spun brass, finally skimmed on a lathe, in
North India.
Today the ‘Beat’
lights are seen in Australia as part of a modern setting in many homes. If you
look at a light you should be able to see the ‘Beat’ marks, knowing this
background on a ‘Beat’ light, I now know why they are priced as they are.
References:
Pic 8
'Super Collection'
The ‘Super
Collection’ texture, was launched in 2017 and included three sets of cushions. It
is lovely to see the texture and art play in these designs. Josephine Ortega, a
young British textile designer was commissioned to design two of the three
cushions on the couch called-Paint and Abstract.
Looking at
these urban inspired cushions you have the electric blue of the couch, setting
off the pinks and industrial style of artwork - with a touch of red to collect
your eye. Abstract work on the cushions is done with watercolour and mixed media,
painted into and over gives a blocked effect and incorporates line and layers. In
some areas I find the colours have gone ‘muddy’ but l think this ‘grunge’
affect adds to the style. Inspired by Britain’s urban landscape ‘Paint and
Abstract’ these cushions are digitally printed and sewn in Britain. Fabric is a
natural linen lightweight, viscose texture.
The third
cushion set is ‘Geo’, resembling layered rock and sediment, with embroidery by
hand and machine. This range is inspired by nature-natural linen and comes as a
picture, cushion or throw rug.
Dixon adds
to the ‘Super Collection’ with cushions from craftsmen in North India, this
cushion below is part of the ‘Abstract’ collection and is thick and wooly. From
Josephine Ortega this cushion is inspired by a city landscape and painted with
watercolour in a grid pattern. Also added to the collection is the ‘Soft’ range
of cushions made with Danish woven fabric and Danish duck feathers. The
collection is added to regularly.
References:
(Accessed 3/8/2018)
Pic 9
'The British Gentleman's Club'
Reinventing
the British Gentleman’s club for Milan Fashion Week in 2014, one is amazed at
how this modern contemporary artwork of Dixon’s can fit into this ornate space.
It works!
Called the
PIVOT collection of chairs that look like they are from a science fiction movie,
these chairs are made of beautiful and wearable fabric and add a geometric
aspect to the room. The copper on the table balances the two copper wall pieces
hanging on the wall and the chairs blend with your eye moving around the
picture easily, giving you a chance to take it all in. The cactus is placed
perfectly, even though my eye hits the copper wall pieces on the back wall
first, this is still a clever picture.
Called the
Club Collection, (below) Dixon made his official debut in Milan in 2014 with the new
addition to his popular Beat Lighting
Series, which was inspired by the simplicity of the Indian water vessel.
The shape
of the Beat lights in this collection
are stout, fat, wide and tall with the new addition of the grey brass finish.
Clad in gold brass finish the lights take center stage.
References:
Pic 2
'Pink Agave Mexican Restaurant'
Designing
for the cruise line Virgin, Tom brings the colours of Milan to the Pink Agave
Mexican Restaurant, which will be ready in 2020 and based in Miami. This
futuristic private dining room will boast Tom’s lighting and furniture. Owned
by the founder of Virgin Richard Branson, this ship will be one of three ships
to be adults only.
The
electric blue metallic lighting fixtures are big and bold. Pendant lighting
will adorn the entryway to the restaurant, with porthole designs throughout the
room adding a nautical feel and a peaceful and happy vibe with the pink combo.
Other
designers to add their vision to the ship are Roman and Williams in New York,
Concrete Amsterdam, Soft room in London and WorkAC in New York. Each of the
designers will bring ideas and add diversity throughout the ship. The principle
of the Modern Romance of Sailing as
the guiding star to a cohesive vision.
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