12 Oct Interview with Primoz Jeza
When someone says that the days of beauty are over, that all the beautiful objects of design and art are in the past – we have something to say. The amazing design objects created by this man bear poetic names, they are beautiful and functional at the same time. Meet Primoz Jeza – the winner of the design section of the 14th Arte Laguna Prize.
First of all, Primoz, congratulations on the prize! Please tell us about your experience with Arte Laguna – how did you know about the competition?
Actually, my friends told me about Arte Laguna, I was on holiday and it was the last day of the call, I was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I just took photos from my web-page and sent it to Arte Laguna’s email, paid the registration fee and that’s it.
Was it easy to decide with which work to participate?
Yes, because I know which pieces are good and which are not so good. I’m quite critical about my work.
Ah, cool! So let’s see the Frankenstein bride table
The name is a little bit controversial and some people are kind of conservative about the name. It has a negative connotation in America.
Why you decided to call the table like that?
First, we made a table Lady March – it’s very charismatic but it’s very difficult to transport in one piece without being damaged. So transportation costs a lot. So I started to think about how to disassemble the table – to have it in pieces for an easier delivery. So the logistic was the main reason to have it like this.
The concept is that each part is from different materials, and colors, and texture. It is possible to move the position of the seat to another place, so the piece is multifunctional – and I’m very satisfied.[/vc_column_text]
And it is possible that a Client can tell, ok, I want this table in these colors and it will be made according to his expectations?
Yes, sure, that was the main reason for this design and the transportation motivation that I’ve already mentioned.
Do these colors mean something? How did you decide about colors?
We actually did many combinations and sketches and decided to choose these as a standard version. And probably it was an idea about Logo stuff, the idea of a constructor, of creativity.
Let’s see your website – we see sections – Product – SpaceIn – SpaceOut. Looks amazing! Tell us about your practice as a designer and an architect, please. When did you start your career? How you can describe your style and your mission?
It’s difficult to say what is my style. I started to work when I was a student, it was 1992 or 1993 and my first project was when I was participating also in one competition and it was very successful – that how I started to work in design, interior design, and architecture.
A lot of things that we see on your website would be great to have at home and to have a house as we see here too.
Thank you!
Where do you get your inspiration? Probably you are traveling a lot because your objects combine a lot of styles while most of them are minimalistic. So what is your daily practice?
Each morning first I go to my studio to meet with my colleagues, my staff, and then I go to my faculty and work with my students, and then it is time to have lunch… In the afternoon it is also time to go to the studio where I work till 8 pm – that’s my ordinary day.
What is the most difficult in the work of a designer? What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?
To convince marketing people not to change the idea of the object that they think will help in sales – that is the most difficult part of the work actually. They are coming with numbers and numbers are very important.
Your works were shown in Ljubljana, Moscow, Belgrade, Lisbon, Hamburg, Cologne, Birmingham, Milan, Paris, London, etc.- your works were shown in these cities, can you tell more about this and why it is important to be active internationally?
For me, exhibitions are not so important as trips to those places. For me, it is important to feel those places and see ethnic details of that ambients.
So you are an active traveler?
Yes, I like to travel, which inspires me. I think that exhibitions, connections are important but not for being creative.
In which countries you sell your works more?
Slovenia, Italy, and Holland – were are very successful there. Slovenia is the main market for me and my studio.
Can you please tell us about the project that you are working on now?
We actually work on four chairs. Two types – for offices, and two for bars. I like these – for bars! You know, it’s better to go to the bar than to go to the office. It’s very interesting because we are working with new materials and the owner of this firm has a good sensibility for this kind of piece. That’s very important.
Do you have already a plan – what to do with the prize money? Where to invest it?
We need to invest money when we start to prepare for an exhibition – maybe I’ll spend it there. Or… maybe I’ll take a trip to go somewhere. I didn’t decide yet.
Interview by Anna Shvets