Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are without doubt two of the brightest stars in the international designer furniture heaven. And two of the most omnipotent.
Something which however may slowly change.
Following their initial breakthrough with Cuisine désintégrée ( Disintegrated kitchen ), an concept piece by Ronan Bouroullec that was taken on by Italian producer Capellini in 1998, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec went on to develop projects with companies as varied as Authentics, Ligne Roset or Habitat - in addition to realising over 20 further products for Capellini. In 2002 the office system Joyn was released onto the market: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec's first project with Vitra and the start of one of their most commercially succesful cooperations. Together with Vitra Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have created products such as the Algue room divider, the Alcove Sofa range and the Vegetal Chair.
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec's cooperation with Magis began with Case (Valise) in 2003, since when the brothers have gone on to produce Striped Chair and the Steelwood range. Their latest products for Magis -the tables Baguette and Central - were launched at Saloni Milano 2010.
In addition to furniture per se Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have also produced innumerate porcelain and textile products as well as realising interior design and architecture projects. Whereas many early products bear the name of just one of the brothers, for the past ten years all products have been credited to both Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.
In a quick interview at Saloni Milano 2010 (smow) spoke to Ronan Bouroullec about the cooperation with Magis, the role of the Internet in the designer furniture industry and the best and worst aspects of the Milan design week.
In the course of the conversation Ronan Bouroullec reflects self-critically on the brother's canon to date, indicates that in the future they intend to concentrate on fewer, but more time-intensive, higher quality, projects, an also questions the sense of investing so much energy, money and intelligence in such large furniture shows.
And how Magis are an organic farm!
Honest!
Fuller details on Ronan and Erwan Bouroullecs work can be found at bouroullec.com
