Informed by a storytelling approach, the work of Dutch designer Maarten Baas links elements of design, art and theatre.

Maarten Baas - Photo © Architonic / Anita Hackethal

Material Tendencies: Maarten Baas | News

Maarten Baas - Photo © Architonic / Anita Hackethal

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Our team recently spoke with Baas about his intuitive way of creating.

If you had to work with one material for the next three years, which would you choose?
The whole handicap of my career is that I never work with the same material. I wish I had a specialism. One day I am creating a 12 hour movie, another, I am learning how to preserve burned wood and how to make clay furniture. I couldn’t choose one material. My way of working is never one way. I feel what keeps it fresh is the explosion that happens in your head when you don’t know what to do with the material. So if I was forced to work with only one material, I think I would quit my job.

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Video © Architonic

In the design process, what comes first? The shape, idea or material?
The idea is always first and then I fill it in with the material and the technique. Though, sometimes I already have quite a clear idea of what kind of material would fit because it is part of the concept. Once I made a very superficial kind of piece in bronze − a gum ball machine. For me bronze is symbolic for a kind of timeless material whereby the gum ball machine is a very temporary, entertaining piece.

What is your Superpower?
My intuition is my main tool and I have to really cherish that. The older you get and the more responsibilities you have, the harder it is to be flexible. I try to create circumstances in which my superpower - my intuition - is always available. That is for me the holy grail.

Image courtesy of Studio Maarten Baas

Material Tendencies: Maarten Baas | News

Image courtesy of Studio Maarten Baas

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Image courtesy of Studio Maarten Baas

Material Tendencies: Maarten Baas | News

Image courtesy of Studio Maarten Baas

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Maarten Baas interview at Salone del Mobile 2017 - Video © Architonic

Turbo Side table for moooi launched in Milan, 2017 - Image courtesy of moooi

Material Tendencies: Maarten Baas | News

Turbo Side table for moooi launched in Milan, 2017 - Image courtesy of moooi

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Photo courtesy of Frank Tielemans

Material Tendencies: Maarten Baas | News

Photo courtesy of Frank Tielemans

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