Nesting Tables
With his furniture object “Hoffmann,” created
in 201 2, the artist Ovidiu Anton made refer-
ence to the classic-modern nesting tables
which are widely used in various designs: Sets
of several nestable side tables, which were
produced by various bentwood furniture man-
ufacturers in 1900. In their formally most re-
duced version, they are still attributed-although
without concrete proof-to Josef Hoffmann and
produced as supposed “design classics.” For
his side tables, produced by himself personally
in careful joinery work, Anton used discarded
safety barrier boards from Viennese construc-
tion sites-material from the Street, which was
brought back in form as an exquisite home ac-
cessory. For the artist, the transformation pro-
cesses were the deciding factor: Worthless
waste wood is upgraded by craftsmanship and
infiltrates distinguished living rooms-or muse-
um furniture collections-in the form of an ex-
pensive design classic. The ban created by
the barrier is converted into a request for use. 1
1 Cf. Sebastian Hackenschmidt, “Die Moderne im Rückspiegel.
Möbelhafte Reminiszenzen an ‘Wien 1900’," in: Exhib. Cat.
Vienna/Basel 2018: Koloman Moser, 264-281.
Satztische Nesting Tables „Hoffmann“
Entwurf und Ausführung Design and execution: Ovidiu Anton, Wien Vienna, 2012
Absperrbretter von Straßenbaustellen Safety barrier boards from road construction sites;
MAK H 3627-1/2012
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