ortamiklos on 'improvisational design' for friedman benda's design in dialogue

DESIGN IN DIALOGUE: INTERVIEW WITH ortamiklos

on april 22, 2020, design in dialogue welcomed creative duo ortamiklos, formed by designers leo orta and victor miklos andersen at the design academy eindhoven in 2015. ortamiklos’ process originates in improvisation and spontaneity, with many of their ideas beginning in guerrilla performances. ‘performance was really a way for us to take people out of their comfort zone, because design for us is not necessarily about pleasant things, it should cater to all kinds of different human traits,’ explains the duo during the interview with glenn adamson. the work of orta and miklos, who decided to separate this past year to develop their individual studio practices, is currently on view in friedman benda’s exhibition ‘relations’.

watch the full video interview at the top of the page, and learn more about the work of ortamiklos and their exhibition at friedman benda below.

ortamiklos, stark effekt and yellow foot, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and ortamiklos | all images by bertrand huet unless stated otherwise

‘ortamiklos: relations’ at friedman benda

on view until march 19, 2022, at friedman benda‘s NY gallery, ‘relations’ offers an in-depth look into the creative duo ortamiklos and the designers leo orta and victor miklos andersen. divided into three separate sections, the exhibition presents works by ortamiklos alongside pieces from orta and miklos andersen’s independent studios. upending the conventional design processes, the duo’s creative approach can be defined by a fluid view towards design—blurring the line between digital and reality, performance and function, tangible and intangible. their formative years were spent working collaboratively while developing their individual practices—sharing ideologies and developing a signature sculptural language. ‘relations’ looks at how the two designers evolved while working as part of a collective, and how that experience continues to shape their approach since leaving the partnership.

the exhibition brings together the last pieces created by ortamiklos, including lighting, desks and chair sets that symbolize the culmination of their approach in expressing theatricality in material forms. since dissolving the partnership, orta established his own studio in les moulins, france, and miklos andersen established his workshop in jyderup, denmark. ‘relations’ also features works created by each designer independantly. orta’s work questions the existential nature of being human and examines the social and emotional bonds humans create within their communities and environments. meanwhile, miklos andersen’s practice is rooted in an experimental and conceptual approach towards design that actively questions existing behavioral norms. the exhibition explores themes of identity, collaboration, and evolution, reflecting on the role of the collective in the design field through a unique lens.

ortamiklos, arbitrary bouquet, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and ortamiklos

ortamiklos, volcanic splash, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and ortamiklos

ortamiklos, deep sea, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and ortamiklos

ortamiklos, coral ghost, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and ortamiklos

victor miklos andersen, brut nouveau, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and victor miklos andersen | image by daniel kukla

victor miklos andersen, terraforming body, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and victor miklos andersen | image by daniel kukla

victor miklos andersen, camels and lollipops, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and victor miklos andersen | image by daniel kukla

victor miklos andersen, hlér ocean, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and victor miklos andersen | image by daniel kukla

leo orta, phoenix, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and leo orta

leo orta, la fourmi (the ant), 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and leo orta

leo orta, winter walk, 2021, courtesy of friedman benda and leo orta

project info:

exhibition name: ortamiklos: relations
designer: ortamiklos, leo orta, victor miklos andersen

gallery: friedman benda

duration: february 24 – march 19, 2022

location: friedman benda, new york, NY

design in dialogue is a series of online interviews presented by new york-based gallery friedman benda that highlights leading voices from the field — designers, makers, critics, and curators — as they discuss their work and ideas. hosted alternately by curator and historian glenn adamson and designer stephen burks, the conversations are held on zoom for 1 hour and include a participatory Q&A.

watch the full video interview with ortamiklos at the top of the page and stay tuned as designboom continues to share design in dialogue features. see all past episodes — and RSVP for upcoming ones — here.