Bite Right into Chocolate Printed Surfaces

The BKLYN DESIGNS event provides a platform for both emerging and established designers, architects and artists. Founded in 2003, the event was one of the very first design fairs to focus on contemporary furniture, lighting, accessories and art-based specifically in Brooklyn, New York. Over the course of three days, the fair attracts attendees from different backgrounds and interests such as interior and product designers, architects, and urban planners, to educators, store buyers and design connoisseurs, making it one of the most dynamic design shows in New York. Demonstrating a unique collaborative spirit, the fair is the official launch-pad for the NYCxDesign initiative, a collaborative space for cultural and commercial opportunities.

Design & Art Are One

Every year during BRKLYN DESIGNS, designers put their careers in motion. This year featured renowned artists such as award-winning Nick Leonoff, specialized in glass blowing. He started as an apprentice to stained glass artist Alan Masaoka (1998) and has since formed a much-appreciated look to his work.

“I create blown glass using Swedish overlay techniques layering colored glass in the walls and on the surface of the glass forms. After the glass has been annealed, I carve the surface of the pieces with diamond wheels to remove layers of glass and expose colors within the piece. Thet blown pieces become the “canvases” on which I design and create,” explained Leonoff in his artist statement for BKLYN DESIGNS.

This year was Leonoff’s first time at BKLYN DESIGNS. In a discussion with ArchiExpo e-Magazine, he explains that he feels the event offers:

“a nice opportunity to showcase [his] latest glasswork to the design world and Brooklyn community, providing exposure ranging from contacts with local design-based bloggers to international designers.”

The event, as a platform for various art forms, presented pieces made of glass, ceramic, metal and more. Self-taught artist Matthew Ward offered emotional release and serenity in his ceramic sculptures, inspired by post-war studio pottery and mid-century art dialog. Among other activities, Ward instructs ceramics at La Mano Pottery Studio in New York, NY.

Like Leonoff, Ward’s first year participating in the BKLYN DESIGNS (2015) allowed him to connect with the design trade and the retail industry. He also expanded his customer audience during the event. In an interview for ArchiExpo, Ward describes his experience as having “also provided [him] with more website traffic, online presence, social media mentions and an increase in sales.”

“Overall the BKLYN design fair reassured me that Brooklyn is a leading community of creative artists and designers and home to people with a wonderful eye for style and taste,” Ward added.

Metal sculpture Josh Hadar transforms copper, steel and nickel into solar-powered tricycles and trees. He relies solely on hand tools when constructing his bikes, no hydraulic pipe bending equipment or computer-driven metal cutting machines are used, “just leverage, heat, hammering and time,” says Hadar. His inspiration comes from introducing nontraditional materials such as hand-blown glass gas tanks into his pieces, presenting issues that require creative solutions. “Much like a painter is only bound by the size and shape of his canvas, my sculpture is only limited to a few simple laws of physics. For me, the art lies in creative solutions to technical problems.”

On a more “wet your palate” angle, Jill Malek and Pablo Alabau presented their Chocolate Printed Surfaces exhibition. Specializing in hand-printed pattern designs that cover walls, stationery and book layouts, Jill Malek was always curious about moving off paper and onto new planes. Pablo Alabau compiles separately designed pieces that can be fit together like a puzzle. His arranged works have become stools, chairs, trays, vases or wall coverings. During a recent conversation, Alabau mentioned to Malek an idea that would inspire a collaborative installation that turned out beautiful… and edible!

Presenting Chocolate-printed Surfaces

Both based in New York, the two artists run their own design studios that develop customized objects and designs for clients worldwide. Experimenting together, they presented Chocolate Printed Surfaces for the 2015 BKLYN Design Event at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint.

When Pablo Alabau told Jill Malek that he had been curious about printing with chocolate for ages, they went for it.

“The starting point for this idea was wondering how to make kids enjoy the magic of printing,” Alabau told ArchiExpo.

It was a pleasant surprise for Malek that one could print with chocolate instead of ink. Usually, ink passes through the mesh printing screen onto a substrate such as paper, fabric (T-shirts), vinyl, stickers or other materials. For Malek and Alabau’s project, they melted chocolate to create the ink. Then, to complete their delectable design delight, they printed onto an edible wafer paper.

Mimicking their Brooklyn environment, the pattern for the print is composed of repeated red bricks. Laura Alandes, Alabau’s wife and design studio partner brought the brick concept to the table.

“The brick surface was meant to emulate a heavy structure, something one would never think to actually eat. And the brick structure also mimics the pieces that can be broken off in a typical chocolate bar,” Malek told us.

When visitors began to arrive, surprise and wonder-filled the room. People were quite curious about the concept, which caught them off guard. At first the spectators thought they saw a printed pattern of bricks, not imagining that it could be something edible, something sweet! As a result, this was the type of project that enticed visitors to contemplate the project and engage new ideas with the artists.

Although those who missed the exhibition would all love to have a piece, this project will not be sold in stores or through orders. The artists would like to set up shop for specially curated events only. And as far as other flavors and ventures with delectable visual treats: Everyone will have to wait and see. The designers’ lips are sealed for the moment!