Our lives are informed by our surroundings: architecture, spaces and the objects within them. These are the clues to who we are as they are the inspirations that move us forward. Architecture speaks to our physical form, our minds and emotions, as does the spaces we live in and the objects we collect. These are all tethered by the act of inspiration, by our need to express who we are and our hopes for the future.
Nature continues to be explored as subject matter within all the creative arenas. It fascinates us as its mysteries frighten us, we know ourselves and nature very little, both are clearly intertwined deepening this unknown and our drive to understand.
How we live today speaks volumes to how the future will look. The more we nurture ourselves and our environments both natural and built, the more fulfilled our lives and those of others to come, will be. This is our instinct of nature and nurture, of not only survival but empathy and the inspiration of beauty.
In a time of required quarantine, sit, stay brings in a new meaning, expanding beyond utility into necessity and emotion, to meditate solely or to commune intimately. This is a time of connection, of person, place and thing, a questioning of how we live now and in the future.
We are makers and dreamers, creating cocoons and objects that reflect our inner mood and our warm bloodedness. We read and write books, nessel in chairs of comfort, pull up to tables of wood to eat our hearty nourishing meals.
It is said that our innate emotions of love and affection is what has allowed our species to thrive and progress forward. Our need to take care of each other continues to be our constant, especially in times of difficulty. This is what defines and unites us in the circle of life and nature, why our homes are so much a part of who we are, our traditions and hopes for the future.
The way we live in this world has shifted, moved to a simpler and more intimate place, our homes and even to our deeper selves. We are in a time of forced contemplation, a time to reflect on who we are and where it is we need to go.
Craftsmanship is a centuries old approach to making and expressing, a time honored and deeply knowledgeable way of making. Historically, the artisan was a backbone to their community, offering goods and services that could not otherwise be found.
In countering the trends of fast and throwaway, we are committed to craftsmanship and design that bends to the positive future and to our use of sustainable woods which are sourced locally through responsible and reputable businesses. These are not idle words, but a philosophy of design born with the conception of SENTIENT.
It is the function of design to not only be utilitarian but inspirational, to tug at the heart and appease the mind of order, especially in this era of chaos. This is what design can do, how it plays its part in the ongoing unfolding of life and the future we build, the future we desire.
In reference to the future and even to AI specifically, it is the hand created that will be our savior. The connection between the maker and community.
SENTIENT worked with British Airways to update and renovate their First Class Lounges at several North American airports
SENTIENT was at BDNY 2016 and I had a quick walk around. Here’s what I saw that left an impression.
A nice fall day trip to Upstate NY.
What we saw at this year’s largest and oldest show. The first time in nearly a decade we aren’t exhibiting!
Ten things we saw at the Wanted Design opening party at the Terminal Stores location in Manhattan
The best (worst) part of NYCxDesign is the free drinks. I’m still recovering.
Metropolis Magazine sponsors the opening night party for the second Bklyn Designs to be held in Greenpoint at the Expo Center.
We cull the 2016 Highpoint Spring Market and find some diamond in the rough.
Our first round up of NYC Design Week shows for 2016, all in one place so you don’t miss the BIG events