While it has been suggested that era of the object is behind us, Norwegian art- and design studio Kneip are infusing their objects with meaning, beauty and a real sense of wonder.

Find below an account of our recent conversation with Stian of Kneip on their work, object culture and on natural corrosion.

Recently we had the pleasure to attend the annual Green Economy seminar at BI in Oslo. Even as the terminology of green may appear more and more inflated, we at Elementa remain intrigued by the concept of Green Growth: The idea of decoupling growth in value from growth in negative environmental consequences. Put somewhat extremely, It's about the difference between growing ones strength and growing a tumour.

Some highlights from the opening party of the Elementa space at Prindseloftet in Storgata 36, Oslo. All photos by Svein Gunnar Kjøde.

We are happy to announce that Elementa is now the agent for the wonderful Swedish brand Massproduction.

Massproductions is run by Stockholm based designers Chris Martin and Magnus Elbäck who have created a evolving collection of well exectued,  neo-modernist furniture and accessories that stands out and makes sense. A great complement to the Elementa collection.

During the opening of the new Elementa premises at Prindseloftet in May, we had the pleasure to host a spectacular event shaped by Stockholm based designer Prang Lerttaweewit from Another New Design Studio.

During some 2 intense hours of culinary discovery, some 100 guests had the chance to mix 60 different ingredients organized by colour on a long table - ranging from known foods, to more esoteric ingredients.

In occasion of the opening of the Elementa studio space we recently had the chance to chat with Stockholm-based designers Prang Lerttaweewit and Paulo Barcelos - who have co-created the magical 31T concept. 

Prang studied as an experience designer at Konstfack and runs Another New Design Studio and has been approaching themes like food, caring for elders and funerary practices in fresh ways.

We are far beyond irreversibly having changed nature. Chances are, however - sooner or later, nature may succeed in “changing us back into itself”. It is easy to imagine that this could happen in the form of a disaster where humanity takes a lot of other species with us down the drain (as the script goes).  Perhaps it is less easy, but a lot more interesting to imagine ourselves setting out to learn and to realign our culture according to the inner workings of our ecosystem.

The notion of wood as the ultimate sustainable material has been a major part of the narrative of the Scandinavian Design movement. Obviously, in reality it is a complex matter - and the opionions are varied, depending on who you ask.

The Elementa blog have recently had the exciting pleasure to chat with scientist and activist Trude Myhre of WWF, whose daily work is to fight for the preservation of the unique old-growth forests in Norway - many of which are seriously threatened.

The earth has spent many million years on developing solutions to problems it has faced. Nearly all of nature's materials are produced with a minimal resources, at a normal temperature, without a lot of energy and with recycling of waste. Nature is sustainable.

Kivo designed by Alexander Lorenz for Herman Miller is a super flexible system made to easily shape space and sound to fit changing needs of the workspace.

A term like Kindness may seem a bit uncanny when applied to the world of design, work and business. It's easy to dismiss it as something belonging to a personal sphere altogether. We are also, often wisely, suspicious when corporations are acting too “friendly” towards us and other living beings. After all every business endeavour is a battle at its core. Or is it really?

The Exilis Frame frame is an elegant minimalist solution for your pictures and other stuff that you may want to display on the wall.

It is made in two standard lengths, 780 mm and 1180 mm with the posibility of special lengths up to 5000mm! (although anything 5 meters is pretty difficult to handle and transport)