Gallery Hopping: The Playful Simplicity of Konstantin Grcic at Max Hetzler

'Functionality' can be interpreted in many, wonderful ways.

Berlin’s Galerie Max Hetzler has opened its doors to German designer Konstantin Grcic, celebrated for the self-professed championing of “simplicity” of his international award-winning designs.

The exhibition “Playtime” reconsidered his creations in a new way, imagining previously unseen connections between objects new and old from the comprehensive body of work by the designer.

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Konstantin Grcic, Max Hetzler
PALLAS table for ClassiCon (2003). Exclusively for Max Hetzler (2016).
Konstantin Grcic at Max Hetzler.
chair_ONE for MAGIS (2004) inside Showcase (2015).
Konstantin Grcic at Max Hetzler.
'EPOCSODIELAK' (2016).
Konstantin Grcic at Max Hetzler.
MEDICI low chair for MATTIAZZI (2012).
Konstantin Grcic at Max Hetzler
MIURA stool for PLANK (2005).
Konstantin Grcic at Max Hetzler
TENT, prototype (2016).

Widely recognized as one of the most important in his field, Grcic develops furniture, products, and lighting for some of the leading companies in the world.

Known for his pared-down pieces, Grcic’s focus remains fixed on the functional quality of the object. Bringing together advanced materials with pioneering production techniques, the works on display have an intelligent air while maintaining a playful quality as the new links they demonstrate offer insight into the designer’s collection.

References to previous exhibitions are made through objects such as Chair_ONE and MAYDAY, while a unique experience is provided by EPOCSODIELAK (kaleidoscope spelled backwards), whereby a smartphone can turn the surrounding area into a club aided by items including speakers, a fog machine, and a mix desk among others.

This impressive mobile disco machine is the result of the collaboration between Grcic and graphic designer Mirko Borsche, and is now on display for only its second time at Max Hetzler.

Konstantin Grcic, “Playtime” is on view at Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin until December 23.

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