The Dwell 24: Mohaded Studio

With studios in Buenos Aires and Milan, artist and industrial designer Cristián Mohaded works closely with artisans across Argentina to produce a diverse output, ranging from installations to collectible lighting and furniture.

Altogether, they bring local trades and heritage to an international audience. "I really wanted to show the potential, the real potential of Argentina," says Mohaded. This approach culminated in a project titled Entrevero, a term that represents the mixture of Argentina’s various artisanal identities.

It includes Floating Towers, an installation of suspended stacks of hand-woven baskets made of simbol plant fiber, a material found in Mohaded’s native province of Catamarca.

The technique is traditional, but the piece is entirely contemporary, a mix that, says Mohaded, reflects "the real language of design in Argentina."

Read the full Q&A with Cristián Mohaded below. 

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Describe what you make in 140 characters. We carry out design and artistic projects, to develop a synergy between the knowledge of traditional craftsmen, art and industry.

What’s the last thing you designed? A sofa.

Do you have a daily creative ritual? A cup of Malbec wine, good music, and alone time.

How do you procrastinate? I take some time off, I go for a walk or ride a bike. I prefer to do something recreational, clear my mind, and then go back to doing what I have to do. I don't pressure myself.

What everyday object would you like to redesign? Why? The iPhone, I think it would be very interesting to do it from every point of view, as it is an object that revolutionized the industry.

Who are your heroes (in design, in life, in both)? Campana Brothers and Chris Cunningham.

What skill would you most like to learn? To play some musical instruments, such as the violin.

What is your most treasured possession? My life!

What’s your earliest memory of an encounter with design? In my house, with the handcrafted objects that my mother had, the ones that are made by hand.

What contemporary design trend do you despise? The one without words. The one who says nothing. It is very typical of the current design-- "fast" and "cute."

Finish this statement: All design should... listen.

What’s in your dream house? A simple house that has empty spaces, but presumably has a beautiful garden and a workshop.

How can the design world be more inclusive? Yes, design is a tool that must be inclusive, comprehensive and integrated.

What do you wish non-designers understood about the design industry? How powerful and functional design is in the culture of a society, in the economy, and in the development of a society. It is not an "empty" form.

You can learn more about Mohaded Studio on their Instagram.    

View the 2022 Dwell 24!