Thomas Demand Book Launch
Kvadrat and publisher MACK present The Triple Folly book, which documents the collaboration between artist Thomas Demand, architects Caruso St John and Kvadrat in the creation of a unique Gesamtkunstwerk at the Kvadrat HQ in Ebeltoft, Denmark.
The hand-finished book comprises three volumes that are separate yet, at the same time, one. Housed in an embossed linen slipcase, they presents the pavilion’s entire architectural journey from conception to construction. The first two volumes present Thomas Demand’s original development sketchbooks and references in facsimile. The third volume offers thoughtful images of the buildings juxtaposed alongside conversations with leading lights from the worlds of art, architecture, and design: Frank Gehry, Denise Scott Brown, Adam Caruso, Valerie Verhack, Anders Byriel, and Emilie Appercé. A single volume version of the book is also available.
Thomas Demand initially explored the pavilion tent as an archetypal structure for The Triple Folly, inspired by Kvadrat’s role as a producer of iconic textiles and commissioner of celebrated art projects. As thebook reveals, he translated his ideas and architectural iterations onto paper before approaching Caruso St John with three found objects – a legal pad, a paper plate, and a soda jerk – and a compelling question: “Can you make this into architecture?”.
In response, Caruso St John created a tripartite folly – a still life – on a hillock overlooking the picturesque coastal landscape at Kvadrat’s HQ. The ‘hat’, an elliptical volume of welded fibreglass plate that rises from the coastal landscape, provides a living room area. The legal paper, featuring a faded yellow-and-black-lined folded ‘paper’ sheet’ made from translucent fibreglass, offers a vibrant space for meetings. The paper plate, also in fibreglass, is a formed sheet held above a cylindrical volume by thin columns. It integrates a kitchen and a dining area.
All three elements reference paper, an essential idiom for Thomas Demand. Consequently, Caruso St John and Thomas Demand chose harmonious materials and sequences that recall the character of paper and create a sensual play of light and shadow, textured opacity and inviting transparency. Adopting a Gesamtkunstwerk ‘total artwork’ approach, they worked closely together to develop all the interiors’ defining features, from the surfaces to the furniture.
The book also serves as a celebration of Kvadrat’s commitment to long-term collaborations and pioneering art projects. The firm has collaborated with Thomas Demand and Caruso St John for many years.
Furthermore, as the book elegantly highlights, The Triple Folly adds a further dimension of artistic expression to the HQ, which is already home to works from celebrated artists such as Olafur Eliasson and Roman Signer.
To celebrate the launch of The Triple Folly book, Kvadrat and MACK will host two events in Copenhagen and London, including a conversation between Thomas Demand and Kvadrat’s CEO Anders Byriel.
About Caruso St John Architects Caruso St John Architects was established by Adam Caruso and Peter St John in 1990. The practice has offices in London and Zurich and has built throughout Europe, undertaking projects that range in scale from major urban developments and cultural projects to intricate interventions in complex historic settings. Caruso St John won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2016 for the Newport Street Gallery and represented Britain at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. About MACK MACK is an independent publisher of award-winning books on visual arts, working with the world’s leading artists, writers, curators and cultural institutions. Established in London in 2010, our founder Michael Mack wanted to create a publishing house that connects new and established authors to a wider audience in beautifully designed editions. Rooted primarily in photography books, our publishing has expanded into art, literature and critical studies, working with some of the world’s most pioneering creative minds and institutions. Over this time, we have sought to build an extensive cultural programme, bringing our authors to audiences across the world in talks, workshops, fairs and signings. Kvadrat Kvadrat was established in Denmark in 1968 and has deep roots in Scandinavia’s world-famous design tradition. A leader in design innovation, Kvadrat produces high-performance, design textiles, rugs, acoustic and window covering solutions for both commercial and residential interiors. Our products reflect our commitment to colour, quality, simplicity and innovation. We consistently push the aesthetic, technological and functional properties of textiles. In doing so, we collaborate with leading designers, architects and artists including: Miriam Bäckström, Raf Simons, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Alfredo Häberli, Akira Minagawa, Peter Saville, Roman Signer, Doshi Levien and Patricia Urquiola. For more information, visit: https://www.kvadrat.dk/en