Artlantique, furniture made with wood from the fishing boats
The furniture of Artlantique are made with wood from the fishing boats off the coast of Senegal. In one of his trips to Africa, passing through the town of Yoff (Dakar), the designer Ramón llonch realized the great visual power that form the boats on the sand: view far form a mosaic of color that extends along the beach. Closely, their geometric figures make up a showy symbolism rooted in old family trade and spiritual traditions.
Attracted by its beauty and its history, Ramón Llonch wondered if after his ocean journey that wood would be able to start another life, “reincarnated” into furniture. He thought it was born Artlantique: a collection of furniture: chairs, tables, stools, rocking chairs, wardrobes and mirrors made of wood which still smells of sea.
The first step was to locate old boats, its optimal point of ageing and negotiate with the fishermen. Others, was rescued from neglect, inasmuch as it explains Llonch, “now there are fewer fish by fishing and fishermen get rid of the boat,” explains Llonch. The second step was to form a team of artisans that followed was enthusiastic about the project. Aware that these boats are part of his life and its cultural heritage, the carpenters discussed how to get the most and what furniture would be adequate from the dimensions of the boat and the combination of colors.
All agreed that the real raw material, in addition to wood, was the life of the boat, his patron and his family and the history of a profession: fishing. The biggest challenge was that it remained intact inside of each piece of furniture after the entire process. They succeeded. “Few people know much of reuse as Africans: there is not a fad, it is your day to day”, account Llonch. “I took me to the design but they are the best by combining colors”, explains Llonch.
All Artlantique designs are original and the wood, which is samba, a tree of West Africa, has not undergone any further treatment. It is exactly equal to as it was when it was barca. They are unique and unrepeatable, objects manufactured individually; their value therefore lies not only in the design and appearance, is also a testimony to the history of the fishermen of West Africa.
The collection was presented on Thursday March 17 space Lofts of the Sucre, in Poblenou, as part of a celebration inspired by Senegalese culture that had a Senegalese typical dinner and a concert by kora that performed traditional songs of this African land.
