Ekaterina Rumyantseva, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kalinka Group, spoke with the iconic Dutch designer at the request of Elitnoe.RU
Barkley continues to rely on world design stars. The developer has a residential complex Barkli Park, the creative concept of which was carried out by the cult French designer Philippe Starck. The interiors of the apartments in the Barkli Virgin House project were designed by Kelly Hoppen, a world famous British decorator. And to its new project Barkli Gallery, the corporation attracted one of the most fashionable industrial designers of our time, the Dutchman Marcel Wanders (pictured above), who tore up many design templates. Ekaterina Rumyantseva, the chairman of the board of directors of the Kalinka Group consulting company, took an active part in the negotiations between the developer and the Dutch master.- This is not my first project in Russia. You have a fantastically deep culture. Some incredible inspiring melancholy is felt here. Amazing artists, writers, Russian ballet have been admiring the world for decades. Of course, history did not play the best role with art, because for a long time all this wealth was closed from the world's eyes. Nevertheless, today we see how Russian culture is returning to its former glory, as if dusting itself off and launching a new stream of energy into the world. And I am sure – moreover, I am ready for the fact that we will be surprised more than once by the new masterpieces of Russian masters.
About Barkli Gallery
– The design of this residential complex (pictured below) should reflect both its location in Russia and the classical architectural concept of the building itself. When working on a public space in such a project, it is important to create the integrity of perception – to link the facade, interiors, lobbies and even the street into a single presentation. After all, when you buy real estate in an apartment building, you get directly the premises itself, a view of the environment, a certain guarantee of safety of living, maintenance of engineering systems, and so on – everything that can be called the quality of the building. But, you see, this is not yet a quality of life.
What I mean? You are not only in your apartment, but also use the existing infrastructure – a gym, entrance lobby, parking, local area. When, when making a purchase decision, you, among other things, pay attention to the interior of public areas, you choose a circle of people who will accept it and want to live in this format. As a result, you get like-minded people next to you, who, in reality, are much closer than just random neighbors. They, like you, appreciate exactly this aesthetics of space, and this alone brings you closer together.
About the roots and innovations
– People constantly hear that only new things are good, and this, in my opinion, is a big problem. A clear disrespect for what was created earlier. Gradually, we begin to treat people in the same way – respect for previous generations is eroding. And, alas, designers are also responsible for this process. At the beginning of my career, I identified an important component for myself: it is necessary to maintain a balance between the old, which is in our blood, and the new.
Design is an ageless creativity, it is able to please not only a typical urban fashionista, but also his grandmother
You should not strive for absolute novelty: in modern design, all innovations in the field of form are too difficult for perception. We need historical roots, a foundation, as much as we need newness. In addition, the newer a thing is, the faster it becomes obsolete. In addition, design is a non-age creativity, it is able to please not only a typical urban fashionista, but also his grandmother. All people must be spoken to in their own language. Any thing should carry some meaning, be universal and understandable. And for this to happen, it is necessary to return the beauty that was inherent in both the distant and recent past.
On theft and development
– The Dutch originally imported porcelain from China. And after some time, they began to make a similar faience and came up with their own style. Culture is not completely individual property. It's great if you can add something of your own. I am sure that Gzhel is different from Delft faience, although this is not visible at first glance. The different styles are interconnected and evolve in order to become something new. It's an exciting and ongoing process! Copying is a completely different thing; it's like stealing. However, what belongs to the whole world you can probably use given context and environment.
For example, if I am creating a chair, and you are interested in furniture design, then you do not need to buy the item itself – you buy a magazine that will tell you in all details how to make it. And then you can add something of your own to this chair. And this will already be a new piece of furniture. For example, my projects are always public, their audience is huge (in addition to private owners, the works of Marcel Wanders are kept in museums in New York, San Francisco, London, Copenhagen and others – ed.). This is the social aspect of design, which makes our work very important and interesting for many. And it is logical that someone will borrow and rework the design I have created, achieving new shapes and images.
About typical finishing
– In such apartments, architects and designers, as a rule, completely organize the space: they choose the type of floor, walls, and so on, right down to the door handles. At the same time, a unified approach is being built. The client can choose from three to four colors, different materials. Yes, individuality can be lost, but in the end you will benefit from quality. After all, a professional will offer a really good choice. Consumers are different and often they are not at all interested in understanding wallpaper, lamps, curtains, building materials. Otherwise they would have become designers themselves, wouldn't they?
I'm interested in working with those who understand that home is a place for self-expression
Of course, if a dentist or an engineer, an official or a banker has taste, time and interest, then maybe he should do the design on his own. My advice is – everyone should do their own thing! At the same time, I am interested in working with those who understand that home is a place for self-expression. And I am ready to help them make it better than they originally thought. If I had chosen, then without a doubt, I would have chosen a ready-made project. I have already arranged for myself one large apartment in Amsterdam, and vowed never to repeat such a “feat”. I will be immensely happy if all this huge work is done by someone I can trust, and I myself would devote my free time to something more pleasant.
About changes in the interior
– Some people are happy with everything in their houses and are ready to live in them for ten years without changing anything, others like the changes. When options for wallpaper in a magazine appear before the eyes of the latter, they immediately want to transfer them to their walls. Or, getting bored, someone simply repaints the bedroom. Both are wonderful! After all, the house expresses our individuality, and we are all different.
How to understand when it's time to change something. There is one simple recipe: walk around the rooms, see what you really like and what is worth keeping.
Conversely, identify things that are no longer pleasing, that can be used in new ways. In fact, many of us are “collectors” and there may be objects in our environment that will never become outdated or lose their value. And this must be treated with special responsibility. Just open your eyes and look around with love – you will definitely have some ideas. But if you don't find anything interesting, then you can leave everything as it is. Nothing terrible will happen in any case.
About plans for the future
– I like doing things that I have not done before. And I gladly move to places where I haven’t been yet. It makes no sense every year to come up with 500 options for chairs, albeit very original, interesting from the point of view of aesthetics and functionality. For me, it's better to make two pieces of furniture, some accessories, do the interior of the restaurant, design the apartments and go in search of new adventures. For example, a year and a half ago my book about the State Art Museum in Amsterdam, weighing 40 kilograms, was published. Nobody expected something like that from me! I can imagine myself as an artist-designer of Russian ballet, opera, film. I love variety. Apparently, this is typical for every creative person.
