It is one of the most successful Portuguese designer abroad. Much of his work stems from a profound reflection coupled with a great imagination that he develops into objects for the everyday life.
Even today he dreams with his childhood games. And driven by a need to create every day he goes back to his studio in New York, to carry those memories and transforms them into objects that brings us to a memorial drawn in chalk where there was room for a top-wells and springs and a mysterious world full of strange insects that astonished his childish look. This is the universe that Rui doCouto, who tries to duplicate in his work entitled, "childhood memories", art installations and sculptural pieces of furniture for private clients and residential and commercial spaces that transport you to the Azores of his younger days.
When it became clear that you wanted to be a designer? And what motivated you to do so?
I have been creating since I was a child, it was my form of play. Having a career in the creative field was the most natural thing for me to do as an adult.
All your inspiration is based on your child memories, was it difficult for you to introduce your personnal "vision" in the american market? I ask you, becouse you are foreigner and the competition is fearless in NY.
When you have a passion for creating, you do just that and let the work do the rest. My inspiration comes from the past, present and an idea of the future.
Is the american market for design diferent from the european? Are americans more open minded about new concepts?
Yes. My observation is a broader European market embraces the visual/experimental innovation more while geographically the American might embrace the functional more.
Wich steep is more dificult in the process of designing the lamps and the chair?
The leg configuration was the most challenging because they all had to be individually shaped and re-shaped, positioned and re-positioned multiple multiple times before I reached where the pieces had a sense of movement.
Wich of your lamp "insects" is your favorite? And why?
Lucana, was the most challenging because of it's 48 legs and I spent the most time with this piece to reach the momentum. Nymph, brings a smile from the old to the young almost without exception!
Do you have an environmental concern when you created your design objects, is the choise of materials casuals?
I was limited to work with certain materials due to the nature of the concept.
In this point of your career, you feel more of a designer or more like an artist?
I personally don't seperate the two. When you are creating/designing a project it's done by the same one person wheather a sculptural lamp/furniture piece or a whole commercial/residential project, it all has to come together harmonously.
I noticed that in the projects of interior design you use a lots of mirrors to created a sense of a major space? And if so, is that something to do with the feeling of infinite space that you have in a island?
Have you been to Manhattan? It can be a challenge to work with some NYC spaces being there is very limited space and mirrors do help creating an illusion of a larger space.
Do you see yourself as a portuguese designer or an american? Both.
Wich is the next steep for SSD designs? Besides the chilhood memories, what do you have in mind next?
Develop pieces from the "Childhood Memories" for a larger audience. The next creative project...possibly public art installation.
What's the future of design in your opinion?
The continuing development of materials and technology
www.ruidocouto.com
