St Vincents Presents First Solo Show 'Evolving Forms' by Paris-based design atelier goons
Photography by Eline Willaert
The collection's origin story echoes through their practice: their "3 and a half hour bench," born from a pre-dinner party panic, exemplifies their philosophy of finding elegance in urgency. This spirit of spontaneous problem-solving evolves in their new work, where architectural precision meets domestic warmth. The starring piece – a modular dining set with nine possible configurations – speaks to both their technical virtuosity and their understanding of how homes breathe and change with time.
Photography by Eline Willaert
Their material choice of Scandinavian birch plywood isn't merely practical – it's ideological. Like Donald Judd before them, goons strips away pretense to reveal the inherent dignity of industrial materials. But where Judd's work maintained a certain austere distance, Kim and Trussler infuse their pieces with the intimate warmth of family life. As Kim notes, "multifunctionality became an obvious source of inspiration... as less of a 'feature' and more just the reality of owning something very special for a long time."
Photography by Eline Willaert
The architectural DNA in their work runs deep, evidenced in the collection's nomenclature. The "Brace" seating series draws its structural logic from shear wall systems, while the "Five Points" tables pay homage to Le Corbusier's revolutionary principles. These references aren't mere decoration – they're fundamental to the pieces' engineering, demonstrating how historical knowledge can inform contemporary innovation.
Photography by Eline Willaert
Their backgrounds – Kim's couture expertise from Hermès and Chanel, Trussler's architectural pedigree alongside Frank Gehry – converge in pieces that blur the line between furniture and sculpture. The resulting works achieve what gallery co-founder Geraldine Jackman calls "couture craftsmanship" while maintaining an approachable, lived-in quality.
Photography by Eline Willaert
What sets Evolving Forms apart is its commitment to the performance of daily life. The collection will be activated through a series of gatherings and meals at St Vincents, allowing the pieces to demonstrate their adaptability in real time. This programming reflects goons' philosophy that great design doesn't just occupy space – it shapes how we live within it.
Photography by Eline Willaert
In an era obsessed with optimization, goons offers a refreshing perspective on functionality. Their work suggests that the highest form of sophistication might just be found in what Trussler calls "simple solutions" – designs that embrace the beautiful chaos of family life while maintaining the rigor of architectural thinking. Evolving Forms isn't just a furniture collection; it's a testament to design's capacity to elevate the everyday without losing touch with what makes it human.
St Vincents
Kleine Markt 13, 2000
Antwerpen, Belgium
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