When we walk or drive in the streets of Congo, we often see big trucks filled with wooden logs of thin eucalyptus or really huge pieces of precious wood. They are tied with straps dirtied by daily use or rarely with metallic chains. The furniture I’ve created reflects this image.

The crates grouped and attached together are retained by used blue colour belts recuperated from a Korean Cargo and re-worked. They play the role of a graphic strong element and at the same time practical one, they retain the objects we decide to put in the furniture.

If we look at the furniture from various points of view, it can seem a group of crates ready to leave for an unknown destination. This state of almost perpetual movement with small or longer stays represents my nomadic spirit in search of the new, of the discovery, of renewal in everyday life.

Another very important detail is the graphic cruciform shape cut in purpose (see photo:detail 2) on the lid of the box incrusted in the furniture. It’s a reference to the christian and animist spirit which coexist in Africa in everyday life. The box can be used for storing any small items.

My inspiration comes from Congo’s mentality, the combination of the traditional animism and the Christian religion which came later. Both are well perceived when living in Congo. This ancient (animism) point of view between life and death is very important for the Congolese and that’s why I chose the name “Luzingu” meaning “Life” in the local oral language, Munuktumba. Because life always continue.

Wheels in blue colour suiting the belts have been added for a better displacement of the furniture.

Myanmar has four kinds of teak varieties, all growing naturally in a very rich in oil elements soil and without human intervention. This is what makes Myanmar teak wood the best in the world.

For © LUZINGU I chose a darkgrain Myanmar teak because of the strong graphic lines which gives a special unique character to the furniture.

© LUZINGU has been produced by a local craftsman who used the traditional technique of Dovetail (Queue d’aronde), a type of assembly which offers high tensile strength and excluding the use of neither nail nor screw (here, used at the minimum amount).

The teak wood can be used indoors and outdoors.

*The prototype is protected by WIPO, Geneva, Switzerland.

Copyright © 2009, Andromachi Lykartsi