FOUNDATION OF JOY - Stockholm Design Week
Bukowskis and Fredrik Paulsen present FOUNDATION OF JOY – an exclusive auction during Stockholm Design Week.
Independent furniture brand JOY, founded by designer Fredrik Paulsen, has in little time made a big and very colourful splash on the Scandinavian design scene. Features in the Sight Unseen Yearbook, and a carefully curated set of retailers in London, Milan, and New York, have placed JOY at the front of a new wave of Swedish interior design – stylish as always, but also fun and firmly rooted in street culture.
Through limited drops, idiosyncratic marketing, and – often literally – cutting-edge design, JOY has built a dedicated global following since its inception in early 2022.
Bukowskis and Fredrik Paulsen now team up for exclusive FOUNDATION OF JOY auction. In this unique project, Scandinavia’s leading auction house has invited one of Sweden’s most renowned designers to create 33 objects in 33 days. The FOUNDATION OF JOY auction will be presented in an exhibition during Stockholm Design Week.
”We need art and culture which tells us something about the world we live in, here and now. And in the same way, I want my furniture to be about us, you and me, here and now. I want JOY to be relevant to our times. That way, JOY will hopefully live forever”, says Fredrik Paulsen.
The FOUNDATION OF JOY projects was commissioned by Bukowskis in Stockholm, and consists of 33 unique objects: Chairs, benches, tables, sideboards and shelves. Using JOY's radical, standardized designs as both boundary and bounce board, each piece has been individually created and crafted by Fredrik Paulsen during a single day.
Fredrik Paulsen is one of Scandinavia’s most celebrated designers. Previously, he has staged Fredrik’s Fun Fair at the Stockholm Furniture Fair and created internationally acclaimed projects at Palazzo Monti in Milan, MCA Santa Barbara and Chart Art Fair and Etage Projects in Copenhagen. In addition, Paulsen has designed furniture for Blå Station, Vaarnii and Vero International. In a 2020 collaboration with Bukowskis, 20 of his Röhsska chairs sold out within hours.
Before Stockholm Design Week, we had the opportunity to sit down with Fredrik Paulsen and discuss the creative process behind the project, and how he approached the assignment.
What inspired you for the project?
Throughout my entire career, I have worked independently with furniture within a gallery context. Approximately two years ago, I launched Joy Objects. It felt natural to create a brand that intertwines my passion for design and subculture while manufacturing furniture locally here in Sweden. Joy Objects is based on a fairly strict system that the customer assembles themselves. With the FOUNDATION OF JOY, I aimed to bring together my two practices in a joyful manner.
**Why did you choose to limit the process in terms of time?
I truly wanted to challenge myself. To progress in the creative process without getting bogged down by details, it seemed reasonable to limit myself to a maximum of one day per item.
Which piece of furniture did you start with?
I began with the Heroes chair. The idea originated from a song on Daft Punk's first album, where a monotonous voice lists a series of DJs and producers. For me, it was a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to all those who have been crucial in my own artistic development. It became like a long chain of associations, where I engraved everyone who came to mind as I sat there with the dremel in my hand.
What materials formed the FOUNDATION OF JOY?
Most of the objects, I have improvised using materials available to me in the studio. I appreciate the raw simplicity of materials from the hardware store and often choose those that many people can relate to and have a connection with.
**You often work with bold colors. What is the reason for that?
It began with my desire to enhance the psychedelic patterns created by the grain in wood, such as pine. However, thereafter, my aim is to craft combinations that vibrate and evoke a sense of light. A personal favorite is the pairing of orange and purple, as showcased in "Tangerine & Dream" for Joy Objects. In that piece, I endeavored to recreate the colors that flickered in my eyes on a spring day when I was dazzled by the sun.
Which object is your favorite?
Knuckles Chuckles, without a doubt. There's something truly special about packaging tape, you know!
› "Chair One, Knuckles Chuckles", Fredrik's favorite object from the auction.
Auction online: February 2−11
Viewing: February 6−9, 11 am - 5 pm CET, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm
Collection:No collection from Arsenalsgatan 2, from February 15th you can collect your item at Västberga Allé 3
Bid on the objects
Requests & condition reports Contact specialist
Stockholm
Jonatan Jahn
Head Specialist Contemporary and Modern Design
+46 (0)703 92 88 60
Stockholm
Eva Seeman
Chief Specialist Modern and Contemporary Decorative art and design
+46 (0)708 92 19 69
Stockholm
Camilla Behrer
Head of Design/ Specialist Modern & Contemporary Decorative Art & Design
+46 (0)708 92 19 77
Stockholm
Karl Green
Specialist Modern and Contemporary Decorative Art & Design
+46 (0)700 07 94 25
