Vienna-based creative agency HFA-Studio unveiled their ‘Glitter Monobloc’ during the “Out Of Office” exhibition at Plain Art Vienna this past May. Known for their innovative and unique approach to design, the studio transformed the iconic Monobloc into a piece that wows — and invites people to reflect on the cultural connotations of leisure and relaxation.
The studio aimed to create a centrepiece that evokes the feeling of being ‘out of office’. Think: garden barbecues, soaking up the sun on the beach, and block parties. It’s hard to imagine any of these without the Monobloc, the object that everyone knows, and lots of people hate. “To reimagine this piece and make a customised artwork that reflects light and symbolises something different was our main intention. We wanted to create a piece that speaks to a lot of people,” they explain.The design process was both meticulous and inspired. After doing extensive research on the Monobloc, they landed on a disco ball aesthetic — which was a perfect way to turn the iconic object on its head, while creating something easy for people to understand. With the studio’s expertise in customising and handcrafting (and the helping hand of the internet), the process went surprisingly smooth.
A memorable aspect of the process was the reaction from the public. While working on the piece in their Viennese studio, passerbys peeked inside, made comments, snapped photos, and took time to admire the glittering Monobloc in all its glory — the perfect conversation piece. “Each ray reflected from its surface invites us to take a step back, reevaluate, and celebrate an escape from our everyday lives into a fantasy.”
We believe that when art is inclusive and easy to understand — even without context — it does something for people
Several weeks, thousands of mirrored mosaic tiles, and lots of patience later, the hotly contested, plastic lawn chair transformed into an object of desire stunning enough to be brought inside.
Founded in 2016 by Fabian Dankl and brothers Leo-Constantin Scheichenost and Charlie Scheichenost, HFA-Studio combines its international experience and multidisciplinary expertise to develop innovative and comprehensive brand designs, strategies, and artistic works for their clients. The communication design studio is deeply rooted in the Viennese art and culture scene, and alongside their client work they also turn heads with their exhibitions and limited merch drops. See what else they’re up to.
