Stockholm Design Week 2011: Interview with Arik Levy

Guest of Honour Arik Levy @ Stockholm Furniture Fair

Guest of Honour at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2011 is the Israel born / Paris based designer Arik Levy.

In addition to being the public face of the the furniture fair, Arik Levy is also responsible for designing the lounge area and will hold an hour long lecture and question/answer session.

Ahead of his opening speech we spoke to Arik Levy about his decision to come to Stockholm, Swedish design and the all pervasive secrecy in the design world.

(smow)blog: Why have you agreed to be Guest of Honour at the 2011 Stockholm Furniture Fair?

Arik Levy: I haven’t yet, I’m still thinking about it (laughs)

(smow)blog: In that case if you were to accept it, why?

Arik Levy: I’ve never been to this exhibition, despite having been many times in Stockholm.  And when you are invited in this context  you have the opportunity to show things in a different way. And to talk about them. Which allows you to convey a better message.

(smow)blog: And did you have a free hand over your lounge concept?

Arik Levy: Yes absolutely. The fair organisers were really good about that.

(smow)blog: And are you happy with the result?

Arik Levy: Yeah, it remains a fair, it is not a permanent installation so things are built like a fair is built. But the message is there -and there is also free Wi-Fi so you can go and reclaim your life over there rather than always having to type in access codes and credit card numbers.

(smow)blog: And in general what does Swedish design mean to you?

Arik Levy: For me Swedish design is comparable to Japanese design, something very clean, very simple, very devoted – but at the same time very intense and very focused. An the masterpieces of Swedish design are still there and are as popular as ever.

(smow)blog: And are you hoping to find new inspiration here in Stockholm?

Arik Levy: Always. I went swimming at 7 this morning. Outdoors. That was very inspiring.

(smow)blog: And a final question, what can we expect from Arik Levy in the coming months?

Arik Levy: We are launching next month a jewellery collection with Atelier Swarovski, and  many new things are coming to Milan. The interesting thing with design of course is that you cannot talk about what you do, because everything is confidential. But I keep on telling people its not oxygen, its not drinking water – its just another chair. Why’s everyone so obsessed about it…. (laughs)

Part stand up comic, part designer, part George Clooney: Arik Levy at Stockholm Furniture Fair