Founded by Jisu Yun and Richard Bone, Paris-based Studio Booboon, launched their inaugural exhibition at this year’s Milan Design Week. Playful Reappropriation, a self-curated exhibition located in an art space and former printing factory called Gallery Assab One, explores the concept of reappropriation. The show included furniture and lighting, both produced and manufactured in their studio, as well as in collaboration with Forma&Cemento, to speak for their unique approach to design.
In terms of the exhibition occurring at Milan Design Week, reappropriation refers to “the act of taking a fragment or element from its original context and giving it new meaning or significance within a different setting.” Studio Booboon’s creative process often explores familiar or cultural elements before reimagining and blending them through their own lens into something different. For example, Playful Reappropriation unites Korean, Japanese, and European influences.
Two standout pieces from the exhibition are the Rabbit Chair and the Silhouette Chair. Both showcase curved, minimalistic figures created through thoughtful design decisions that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Rabbit Chair
The Rabbit Chair instantly put a smile on my face with its playful lines and ear-like dual backrest, which also adds increased flexibility to the seating. The contour continues directly down into the legs, creating a simple form designed for use as dining and side chairs. The Rabbit chair is available in ash and black-stained oak.
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Rabbit Chair
Silhouette Chair
One piece of a larger furniture collection, the Silhouette Chair, is focused on its sustainable construction. Small pieces of solid ash wood are assembled together, resulting in an extruded form with a striking silhouette that appears to be a single piece of wood. The seating also features Korean finishes, black as well as an earthen red lacquer, to put the seamless finish over the flawless finish line.
Silhouette Chair
Silhouette Chair
Silhouette Chair
Silhouette Chair
Silhouette Chair
Silhouette Chair
Silhouette Chair
To learn more about the Playful Reappropriation exhibition, the Rabbit Chair, or the Silhouette Chair, visit studiobooboon.com.
