Three Layer Cake

The first collection of anne black was launched in 2001.  the result:  the little black dress for your tabletop, handmade in porcelain, of course.  anne black maximizes elegance while minimizing embellishment.  hers is perfect expression without wasted material nor effort.  her most recent collection, black is blue, focuses on inner beauty—“beauty comes from within,” Anne believes.  Writing anything more would take away from her interview, which of course is the written equivalent of her porcelain pieces.  (it’s really amazing how the two coincide). 

Oh, and anne black the brand is always written in lower case, unless you are referring to the artist, in which case you can write it anyway you like.  (black is blue cups:  right)  Visit anne black to find out more about her product lines.

 
Your design philosophy.
I aim to combine aesthetics and functionality in my work. I work with expressions that can be created by hand.

 
What was the driving force behind your decision to do the DANIDA project (Danish International Development Agency)?  How has that experience influenced your successive work?
First of all I needed someone who could produce for me and since all my work is made by hand I needed someone able and willing to work this way. This forced me as far away as Vietnam as these skills are rare to find in Europe.

Secondly I thought it was the right challenge to learn craftsmen in Vietnam to do my work and as such create development for them. So I was not the only one benefiting from this.

The co-operation has forced me to be more structured and systematize my work much more than was previously. It has enabled me to work with methods such as hand painted products which I could not have done producing in Denmark. So I have developed new designs which take advantage of the skills they already possess.  (candle cups, right)  

How did you develop your first collection and what are the difficulties (if any) of putting together a collection?  It started with just one bowl for an exhibition and then it just gradually expanded into other products. The challenge in putting together a collection such as mine is to make different objects and different designs which together become a whole and signifier of one-self. I think I have succeeded in this to some extent since often people actually do recognize my products as anne black.
 

How does being a mother influence your work?
It has become more difficult to get the time for me to do the work. I am not sure if it has influenced my work in terms of designs only in terms of how well organized I need to be. 

 
What is the most valuable skill you learned in school?
It is hard to point at just one thing but it is important to have an ability to see when a shape or an object is right.

The most difficult obstacle you face daily?  The most difficult obstacle you’ve overcome in your career?  The biggest obstacle in my career has been to give the crafting away to other people like the ones in Vietnam.
 

Time capsule:  Which three design pieces would you put in a time capsule today that say the most about you and the times we live in?

From my own products, I would choose: 

 - candle cup, because it represents something which our generation needs— ability to stage intimacy in a busy daily life 

- porcelain jewelry, since this represents our need to be special — one of a kind jewelry.  (pictured above)

- black is blue products, as these represent the joining of Scandinavian design and Vietnamese crafting tradition


What motivates you?
I like to do what I do.  That is my motivation.

What food or dessert best describes your design style?  What was it five years ago?  What would you like it to be in the future?
Now: Sushi. Raw and simple, yet completed by beautiful details.

5 years ago: fresh strawberries with milk and sugar.

In the future: a great fusion of all kinds of delicious foods.

The first thing you notice in a restaurant
The lighting. 

Eating what food brings back the best memories?
Apple pie with whipped cream, reminds me of grandma!
 

The last piece of art you fell in love with?
The music by Rufus Wainwright: a great source  of joy and inspiration.

Your favorite flea market find (or best deal on something)?  Where is it today?
A leather briefcase that perfectly suits my i-book. It is with me in my leather bag where it fits like they were made for each other. 

No home is complete without…
Candles

Celebrity you’re intrigued by.
RUFUS RUFUS RUFUS!! 

Whenever you travel, you always bring  MUSIC  with you.

You can never have too many… breaths of fresh ocean air…. And shoes!!

(tilt bowls, above) 

Product Photos:  Jakob Valling