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Sharing despite barriers: The tableware collection "The New Normal"

20.10.2020

Translation: machine translated

Share a dessert without risking a coronavirus infection. The new conceptual tableware collection from design studio "Boir" aims to make this possible. How does it work? By keeping you and the person you're eating with at a distance.

A circular plate divided into two by a rock and a T-shaped serving rack to present hams. Objects like these could adorn restaurant tables in the future. They are the brainchild of Boir founders Vlatka Leskovar Zidar and Ivan Zidar. The design duo and married couple believe that shared meals bring people together like no other ritual. That's why they have sought solutions that strike a balance between intimacy and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Sharing food involves a tactility that is gradually being lost due to social distancing and fear of physical contact," says Vlatka. "The ritual of sharing bread, cold cuts, bites and desserts is an essential part of eating culture, and we want to preserve it even in these difficult circumstances."

Everyone for themselves

The tableware collection consists of five items. These include a basket for bread and a serving platter for sushi or amuse-bouche. It was made by hand from steel and stone. The design is restrained so that the food takes centre stage. It is characterised by geometric shapes. Rocks also bring organic shapes into play with their curves. They are intended to be reminiscent of a mountain, "a natural barrier", and have a protective effect.

The New Normal: a collection for the culinary experience away from home and at home. Image: Nikola Zelmanović.

The steel bread basket is separated by a simple barrier. Image: Nikola Zelmanović.

Studio Boir has already developed a design that revitalises traditional eating rituals. It has become known for its salt container, which brings the traditional harvesting of sea salt in the Mediterranean to life: Salt mimics the manual, Mediterranean harvesting process of sea salt and encourages people to make their own. Its design language is similar to that of the T-shaped "Prosicutto rack", which represents a new way of serving ham.

A T-shaped rack (prosciutto rack) and delicate metal tongs are used to present and consume delicacies. Image: Nikola Zelmanović.

Extra long spoons (dessert for two) create a safe distance when feeding each other. Picture: Nikola Zelmanović.

The designer couple are working on adding more objects to the conceptual collection. However, Galaxus will not be able to add them to the range any time soon. As a limited edition, The New Normal range will initially be found in upscale restaurants, where "food is treated as theatre for the senses". However, a culinary experience is also possible at home. Here it's all about waiting patiently.

The handmade crockery is designed to make serving food more creative for both chefs and gourmets during and after the pandemic. It only claims to protect against infection in theory: "The barriers discreetly separate dishes and define compartments for dinner for two," explains Vlatka. "Their purpose is primarily psychological - they help users to temporarily forget their pandemic-induced anxiety and indulge in the dining experience." <p

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Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

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