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This picture book documents how the young Swiss product design team,
Sarah Kueng & Lovis Caputo has, copied objects from international
fairs worldwide over the last few years. Each copy is juxtaposed with
the original, mostly on a double page spread.
Using a precise
approach, they exaggerate significant aspects of the original. In this
way the dialog between the original and the copy represents an homage
to the authors. Moreover, the originality of the copy shows what
inspirational reading this makes.
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The market for design objects is small and exclusive – only copies make them suitable for mass consumption. Despite apparent close similarities, deciding attributes are often lost in the process. Such copies insult the original, even if at heart they are compliments to the original idea. “Copy by Kueng-Caputo” explores the limits of plagiarism, with much respect and a touch of irony. A selection of current design objects, as exhibited at international design fairs in Stockholm, Tokyo and Milan, serves as the raw material. Each of the design trophies is closely observed, analyzed, and virtually dismantled, in order to recognize its specific character.
On the one hand, the attempt to copy an original provides creative inspiration. On the other, the process aims at filtering out a significant aspect of a chosen object in order to exaggerate and honor it. The dialogue between original and copy thus represents an homage to the authors. And the originality of the copy reveals how inspiring such a discourse can be.
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| 'Duct' Chair by Stephan Siepermann (Milano 08) |
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