Jaime Hayon
Jaime Hayon is one of a revolutionary breed of designer and artist, who not only blurs the lines between art and design, but also questions what design actually is by pushing the boundaries of his materials. Born in 1974 in Madrid, Spain, he embodies a new type of creative renaissance man who, thanks to his inter-disciplinary approach and extraordinary talent, realizes his unique stylistic language across variousm areas and media. His work coherently brings together diametrical opposites such as opulence and practicality, sensuality and precision as well as finesse and restraint. Using a hybrid of industrial design disciplines, craft expertise and new technology, his whimsical creations come as a breath of fresh air after a decade of monotonous minimalism.
The Mediterranean digital Baroque was Hayon’s first solo art installation exhibited at the David Gill Galleries, London, in 2003. The Mon Cirque and Stage installations were exhibited in subsequent years. Art has been the investigation platform behind his work. Hayon’s first major design project was launched in 2004 and the playful, bold-colored bathrooms for Artquitect, AQHayon, gained immediate international attention. In 2005 he created a furniture collection for Bd Barcelona called Showtime. Inspired by old MGM musicals, this range featured a stylish cabinet along with tables, chairs and a very special hooded seat.
Several light collections for Metalarte including the Josephine and Funghi series have been designed by Hayon. He has been a creative consultant for Lladró, a Spanish porcelain manufacturer, since 2006. An extravagant blood red champagne bucket was designed for Piper-Hiedsieck in 2006.
For 2007 Salone del Mobile, Hayon presented his Pixel Ballet installation for Bisazza using the famous mosaic in a dreamscape that included a towering seated clown-like 4-meter high figure, giant ceramic cacti, version of cabinets with integrated lamps and a marble topped table inspired by car engine elements.
Commissioned for five shops for Camper shoes, Hayon adorned each with rich red and gold interiors with oversized lampshades and display furniture with mix and match legs. Recently Hayon completed the LaTerraza del Casina restaurant in Madrid and the result of his intervention is a through-the-looking-glass vision of a period dining room where décor plays equal fiddle to the food. Currently with a full schedule of interior projects, he is developing a concept store in Dubai: Villamoda, and a hotel in China. Collaborations with Swarovski, Baccarat, Gaia and Gino, Established and Sons and Moooi will be released in 2008.
Hayon’s work has been awarded by Elle Deco and London 100% Design as well as many others.