Guy Meldem
Meubles Meldem
Guy Meldem
80% Furniture designer, Apples; 40% Teacher, Lausanne
Master, European Arts Ensemble, ECAL, Lausanne, 2012; Bachelor, Graphic design, ECAL, Lausanne, 2003
Meubles Meldem
2020–today
Apples
Personal
Photographer: Charlotte Krieger, Lausanne/Paris (FR)
Various pieces of furniture, catalogs, posters
2 × 1000 × 2500 × 2500 mm
• Wood: All wood is FSC, except, of course, the driftwood. • Iron: Bought in Apples through a local tinsmith. • Paper: All paper is recycled from print shops and mail. • Glue: Wood glue is used for wood (very ecological), starch glue is used for paper (very ecological), and plastic glue and hot glue are used for the trinkets (not ecological). • Acrylic paint: Only used on paintings, primarily water-based. The vast majority of paints were found in waste centres. • String: So far, all recycled from old stock found in the Meldem farm. It was initially used to tie vegetable crates. • Safety glass: Used on the Little Desk and the Small Coffee Table. It comes from a local glass factory in Le Mont-sur-Lausanne. • Inox: Solely used on the Dining Table. It comes from a local tinsmith in Renens. • Diamond wire mesh: So far, all recycled from old stock found in the Meldem farm. • Chicken wire mesh: So far, all recycled from old stock found in the Meldem farm. • Nicotine chewing gums: They are all recycled. • Plastics: Plastics used as a canvas for paintings are all recycled plastic bags and packaging. The coating used for the foam protection is certified Oeko-Tex 100 (Fake Leather and Reflex) and is 100% polyurethane. • Phones and cables: Recycled. • Paraffin: Recycled from old sculptures, so far. It will be bought new once the stock is exhausted. • Foam: Recycled from old mattresses for all product developments. Unless requested otherwise, they will be bought new. All certified Oeko-Tex 100. • Medication packaging: Recycled and does not contain medication. • Mini liquor bottles: Recycled and can still contain a few drops of alcohol. • Clockwork, end caps for chair legs and wire mesh protection: Bought from the Swiss internet.
Various
Meubles Meldem is a furniture design and self-production project. The pieces are designed to be comfortable and functional, yet disrupted (or enhanced) by sculptural and pictorial reflections. Drawing inspiration from DIY cultures, sculpture and vernacular construction, its approach explores the boundaries between art and design.
Made from raw, recycled, standard and easily accessible materials, these objects are infinitely reproducible and sold at affordable prices. Each piece in the catalogue is made to order, produced in unlimited quantities, dated and signed. The production line is designed for quick, on-demand manufacturing to optimise costs and minimise waste by keeping inventory low. Everything is made locally in Apples and Lausanne. Work time is compensated fairly while striving to keep the furniture accessible to most people. These goals are achieved by reducing construction time, limiting the range of materials used, and incorporating recycled materials whenever possible. In a world increasingly shaped by neoliberal market logic, this project is a way of breaking free from it.
