EcoChic: Junk, Furniture, or Art?
Benjamin Rollins Caldwell is a designer unlike any other. Through BRC Designs, his motivation and inspiration stems from mundane environments and the objects that inhabit them. Not any one of his projects resembles another. Caldwell thrives on variety. He admits that, “If I were forced to work with one material, in one style, using only one process, I would be completely miserable.” This energetic attitude of Caldwell’s is highly reflected in this gallery. However, BRC Designs is not only an enjoyable creative outlet for Caldwell, it is also a company that aims towards a bigger objective. BRC Designs attempts to transform the objects around us into something innovative and fresh. Maybe you think the materials he uses have no right partaking in furniture design, but the Trendease Team believes that this gallery will have you in awe. The work of BRC Designs could even redefine your interpretation of ‘junk’ or maybe you could be like Caldwell himself and begin to find inspiration in places you never thought possible.
Inspired from creepy crawly insects, Caldwell named one of his collections the Spider Collection. Although spiders are not an animal you would want to snuggle up with, once you realize that one is in your presence, its disappearance is unsettling. Out of sight, out of mind is not so true in this case. Where did it go, it could be anywhere? We would rather see spiders than not. BRC’s Spider Collection is alike in this way. These sofas, tables, and chairs do not look like they would inflict a sleeping coma, but they are entertaining to the eye. Caldwell does a great job capturing the essence of spiders without making the collection creepy, as is the spider connotation. Instead, the collection is rather sleek and eco-friendly, like spiders. As we all know, spiders help rid our environment of pesky bugs. BRC’s spider chair and sofa help our environment as well, for they are composed of recycled zippers. So, do not let the name of this collection frighten you away, like spiders, you will be glad to see these eye captivating furniture pieces!
However, there is much more to BRC’s designs than just spiders. BRC is known for its ability to work with unusual materials to establish a unique look. For instance, the hammer chair. BRC describes it as a nonfunctional functional chair. Huh? What that means is that this chair is fully capable of holding a person’s body weight, but by its uncomfortable nature, it is certainly not a chair to sit in for hours on end. It is entirely composed of old piano hammers and the backs of piano keys. BRC establishes a special look with furniture rather than a comfortable place to sit. Many of the pieces are meant to be aesthetically entertaining, to portray the company’s intriguing individuality. As we continue to trudge along the crazy tour of BRC designs, we come across even more pieces that will make you take a second look.
However, when viewing the Binary Collection, you will probably need to take more than just a second glance. This collection celebrates the complexity of technology with its construction of abandoned electronic pallets. The Binary Chair 01 especially reflects the immense detail of the computer pieces by covering the seat with simpler computer ribbon cables weaved together. This contrast emphasizes the importance of material use.
The really admirable quality about Caldwell’s work is his ability to use materials that would otherwise be put to waste. While many designers are purchasing materials from top notch suppliers, BRC does his shopping everywhere from abandoned warehouses to salvage yards. He makes us question what is considered functional and he puts a new spin on furniture design by promoting it like artwork. BRC is unique in that much of its designs are intended for display, they are meant to make you look at objects in a new light. Whether Caldwell uses objects as inspiration for his design, or uses the object to make up his piece, Benjamin Rollins Caldwell truly captivates the raw essence of his materials.
The Trendease Team hopes that this gallery makes you think about how the objects around you are created. Benjamin Rollins Caldwell asks us to appreciate things that go overlooked or are tossed aside like junk. His designs are more than just cool things to look at, they are representations that reveal what we may see every day, but not truly admire. Caldwell’s company, BRC Designs opens your eyes to your surroundings in a way that is exceptionally original!
—Steph Castoldi
