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Omer Arbel - photo by Cory Dawson
Omer Arbel trained in the late nineties as an architect. He apprenticed under Enric Miralles, John and Patricia Patkau, and Peter Busby, among others, and was centrally involved in several successful high profile building projects and international design competitions. [newline][newline]In 2003, Arbel founded a multidisciplinary design studio focused on blurring the boundaries between the fields of architecture, industrial design, and materials research. It has been said of Arbel’s practice that its industrial design works, in both limited edition and mass produced formats, appear to be motivated by larger scale concepts which can only be considered architectural. Conversely, critics have noted that the practice’s architectural works appear to be inspired by an obsession with the object, the possibilities implicit in the process of making, and the intrinsic quality of materials. Pieces by Arbel have won high profile awards, have been widely exhibited and published, and form part of important private and institutional collections. [newline][newline]In 2005, Arbel became Bocci’s creative director. His conceptual approach, now fueled by an infrastructure for prototyping, fine craft, manufacturing and distribution, has given birth to a collection of conceptually driven lighting, furniture, electrical accessories and objects, which have since gained significant presence and impact within the design community.