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Red Hook, Brooklyn (March 29, 20011)
Uhuru, a Brooklyn-based furniture design company dedicated to sustainability and local craftsmanship, is pleased to announce the launch of its third "local materials" line for New York Design Week, May 2011. The new War Craft Line is crafted from reclaimed wood taken from the deck of the decommissioned USS North Carolina. It is to date one of the most decorated battleships in US naval history, was built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the 30's, and fought during WWII. By exploring and referencing the forms of the USS North Carolina, the pieces create a dialog between honoring those lost during the its various campaigns and exploring the inherently violent nature of modern war craft. The line consists of six limited edition pieces, and Uhuru will produce only ten of each design due to the finite nature of the decking.
Scale model of USS NORTH CAROLINA
THE 16/45 END TABLES
The 16/45 End Tables vary in size, each
referencing the colossal diameter and caliber
of the bullets that were onboard the USS
North Carolina. The tapered shape of the table
supports took subtle cues from the battleship
itself. The lightness of the base is a direct contrast
to the solid bullets. Crafted out of either teak or
cold-rolled steel, the tables support black glass
and are available in three heights.
WAR CRAFT COFFEE TABLE WEARING DAZZLE
The War Craft Coffee Table wears an
interpretation of Dazzle camouflage that was
used on battleships to confuse enemy ships.
Through high contrast and disrupted lines,
Uhuru graphically breaks up the pattern for a
functional coffee table. The levels represent
the decks of the battleship, with framework
inspired by nautical forms. The top is layered
paint on aluminum, and the base consists of
solid wood legs.
BB-55 ROCKER
The sturdy shape of the BB-55 Rocker, named
after the North Carolina class of battleship,
takes cues from naval design. The forms of the
base and seat mimic the curves of the hull and
the taper of the bridge tower. The teak base of
this low, modern rocker transitions into a steel
frame above. Cotton webbing, weaved in a random pattern,
forms the seat and backrest. With colors
inspired by the original ship, the fractal pattern
also references Measure 32 camouflage, which
was used on the ship to avoid detection when
travelling through open water.
MARK-8 ROOM DIVIDER
The steel frame of the Mark-8 Room Divider is shaped with the life-sized negative silhouette of the bullets that were fired from the ship. It gives a sense of scale to the massive and destructive weapons on-board. The black bronze powder coating is offset with subtle brass screws and hinges. Flexible enough to be used as a room divider or mirror, this thoughtful piece aims to bring a palpable sense of scale to the viewer.
ALIFE X UHURU DESIGN: PRIVATE PROPERTY
MAY 14 - MAY 17, 2011
NEW YORK ART DEPARTMENT AT THE HOLE
312 BOWERY
NEW YORK NY 10002
12 - 8PM DAILY
A SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE COLLECTION FEATURING NEW YORK CITYʼS INFAMOUS EARSNOT, SEMEN, JIM JOE, KR, MAX FISH & ALIFE
NEW YORK DESIGN WEEK: New York Art Department is proud to present PRIVATE PROPERTY, a
collaborative project between downtown-New York lifestyle brand ALIFE and Brooklyn-based contemporary
furniture manufacturer UHURU.
Produced by New York Art Department, PRIVATE PROPERTY brings together high-end sustainable furniture
design and downtown New York graffiti culture: The project counts on the participation of infamous graffiti writers
EARSNOT, SEMEN, JIM JOE and KR; legendary Lower East Side hang out Max Fish and its unruly clientele; and
lifestyle brand ALIFE-all of whom have produced self-titled pieces.
To be displayed for sale during New York Design Week, the idea behind the project began as a friendly
conversation between Alife and New York Art Department founders Robert Cristofaro and Arnaud Delecolle, and
Uhuru founders Jason Horvath and Bill Hilgendorf. The four agreed to collaborate and create a New York-centric
project that would represent all parties respective areas of expertise.
The result is a unique collection of handcrafted sustainable furniture that plays with the concept vandalism, private
property and each's appropriation of the other.
"This project allows ALIFE to play and execute with yet another medium. This is the first time ALIFE applies its
vision to furniture, but it's something we've wanted to do for a long time. It's more quality content from the
'alife vision'," says Alife and New York Art Department co-founder Arnaud Delecolle.
"The artists selected for this project represent Alife's vision of the New York graff scene. Each individual chosen in
this lineup is recognized within the New York downtown lifestyle as a trailblazer in his respective niche. Whether it
be manufacturer of art supplies, DJ to the "Downtown", wordsmith or just an infamous personality within the graffiti
scene, all have all paid dues and contributed to this art form." Says Rob Cristofaro, also Alife and New York Art
Department co-founder.
KR BENCHES
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