Mentorship: Giampiero Bodino

THE MENTOR: GIAMPIERO BODINO

«I find the work at the Parts of Four studio exceptionally intriguing with its strong and essential lines. The research into met- als that they have proposed recently is truly wonderful. It almost makes me think of a great designer from the past, Line Vautrin. Pof4 is, in my opinion, a synthesis of atavistic influences, shapes that look to Africa with the eyes of a modern Constantin Brancusi.»

THE TALENT: EVAN SUGERMAN FOR PARTS OF FOUR 
«This project is an exploration in the dark and, as such, is some- what void of particular inspirations. Our collections are self-refer- ential. When designing new pieces, I do my best to take in as little visual stimulus, no images. This may sound extreme but I have per- sonally found it too easy to become influenced and automatically begin to replicate rather than create. Obviously, it would be absurd to argue that any idea is truly unique, but I do my best to keep that referencing subconscious. I have found a sort of Zen quietness in this self imposed darkness and within that peaceful place I try to al- low the forms to define themselves in the most non-conscious way I can, arriving as bursts of inspiration or found through empirical process. The latter much more akin to the work of an engineer than a designer. I have re- cently come to the conclusion that my process is very much like the work of a modular sound syn- thesist, creating connections and exploring har- monics. Fundamental forms (and frequencies) are used over and over again, layered, combined, filtered and re-shaped as a continuous process of seeking richer and more complex forms. Once you find a sweet spot, you delicately and precisely fine tune.»