Florian Borkenhagen, designer,
born in 1959 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
« Surrounded by an archive full of found objects from everyday
life, I deal daily with the merging of the purely functional nature
of a device and its social relevance. The reduction of things to
their basic function robs them of their soul. In taking ordinary
set pieces
that have lost their meaning in their usual environment
and giving
them a new function through my artistic vision (or at
least a new social context), I give them a second chance to maintain
the dignity they deserve. »* (Florian Borkenhagen)
Florian Borkenhagen studied at the Academy of Fine Arts
in Hamburg. Since 1982 Borkenhagen has exhibited in many
galleries and museums in Europe and the United States,
including
Documenta 8 in Kassel. In the nineties he founded
the interdisciplinary Laboratorio Como, where he developed
the design and sculptural concept of industrial archaeology.
Borkenhagen works with artists, designers, architects,
philosophers,
film and theatre producers and industrial
companies. He leads workshops in Europe and Africa. Since
2005 he has served as a professor of space concept and design
at the Academy of Fashion & D esign in Hamburg.
* From a conversation with Florian Borkenhagen, 2010.
 
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