For this daybed, Ben employs a technique that he has stumbled upon elsewhere in his practice, almost by accident. An essentially indeterminate shape, composed of welded metal sheets, is subjected to external and great pressure, and regains its shape, its new form through the compressive power of the applied force. In a way, it is related to the In Hale series, it is also a direct descendant of it, being crushed rather than inflated, it is still hollow, an air-filled piece.
The unique look of the daybed, however, is not only determined by the way it is shaped, by the particular folds that are not always controllable or predictable, idiosyncratic by nature. The violence contrasts pleasantly with the dedication of another craft. The finishing touch, which contributes equally to defining the work, is the enamel. For this, Ben collaborates with the Emaillerie Belge. The subtle, just as uncontrollable craquelure adds a delicacy that lovingly accommodates the brute force of the sculpting.
Finally, there is the upholstery, a premium leather seat entirely handcrafted by NIYONA’s exceptional artisans. Its clean lines, organically curved, echo an architectural vocation. Yet the promise of comfort and luxury in itself adds to the uniqueness of a monumental piece of furniture that addresses a variety of temperaments.