Voukenas Petrides “sculpt” the sense of touch with their “Haptic Nature” exhibition
DS.WRITER:
Vasilis Xifaras
 LR.jpg)
Central Image: Bent Half Tube Bench | Gerasimos Domenikos for Gallery Fumi
Even though the Voukenas Petrides design studio manufactures each object in Athens, it has built an audience and reached customers all over the world. The distinctive style of its creators is a mixture of Andreas Voukena’s expertise in crafting objects and Steven Petride’s architectural background. They merged their powers in 2014 and have since been creating unique objects-sculptures that interact with the space through materiality and light, and at the same time they test their natural properties, that is, balancing and hovering. These sculptures, whether they are lamps, seats, tables or mirrors, are made of plaster from Zakynthos and cast bronze, using the cire perdue technique. This approach is what excited the directors of Gallery Fumi, which has been representing them exclusively since 2018. So, this year, the creative duo prepared their first solo exhibition away from Greece.
Photo: Thomas Joseph Wright, Penguins Egg Ltd
The exhibition titled “Haptic Nature” ran from September 17 to October 22 of 2022 in Gallery Fumi’s space, in central London. This Gallery was opened in 2008 by Sam Pratt and Valerio Capo and quickly became known due to its anthropocentric philosophy and its owners’ love for peculiar materialities. Through collective thematic exhibitions as well as solo exhibitions, new creators can showcase their work within the up-and-coming Mayfair neighbourhood. Max Lamb and Kustaa Saksi are among them. Each show differs aesthetically, thus presenting the versatile taste of the owners, who prompt designers to go beyond their limits.
Photo: Gerasimos Domenikos for Gallery Fumi
Undoubtedly, the Voukenas Petrides duo evolved their design through their multiannual collaboration with Gallery Fumi, to the point of constructing 2 meters high sculptures. This evolution was evident in the space of the exhibition, where one could see that the objects, designed exclusively for the gallery, have certain proportions and how they define the architectural space around them. It is no coincidence that the designer's bronze armchair has found its place in the new flagship boutique of the House of Chanel, designed by Peter Marino.
In the "Haptic Nature" exhibition, the scale transition made a particular impression: from the new tall lamps made from plaster, resembling human totems and tree trunks, to the twelve miniature decorative sculptures in polished bronze. Also characteristic are the red bronze Bent Half Tube Bench and Bent Half Tube Chair, which develop their form through the folding of circular cross-section elements and embrace the human body as one sits on them. On the other hand, the aluminium table and mirror are a reference to the geology observed on the beach by the designers. All the objects are harmonious, as they are governed by simple, organic forms that acquire details through the folds of the material. These folds transform the object continuously, depending on how the light falls on it.
Photo: Gerasimos Domenikos for Gallery Fumi
We talked with the co-founder of Gallery Fumi, Valerio Capo, to get a taste of the atmosphere during the exhibition:
“The exhibition has been a great success both in terms of visitors and interest in the works. People loved to interact with the pieces and found the shapes intriguing. We also hosted several events where Steve and Andreas took part, which were very informative to visitors - they both speak beautifully about their practice, and visitors found the whole process, from conception to execution, inspiring.”
Photo: Gerasimos Domenikos for Gallery Fumi
Special thanks to Andreas Voukenas, Steven Petrides and Gallery FUMI for their input.