David Lehmann (*1985, Wuppertal) studied Industrial Design at the Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart and worked throughout his studies as an assistant to the sculptor Tony Cragg in Wuppertal as well as for Marcel Wanders in Amsterdam, and Nendo in Tokyo.
 
In 2014 he founded his own studio in Munich where he lives and works. A key theme in his work is to “make the obvious unobvious by hiding it behind the obvious”, resulting in subtle outcomes that are nonetheless rich in detail and complexity.

 
Lehmann ‘s creation are particular : simple but not simplistic, refined and never weak, utilitarian with poetry. He managed to find a balance in each of his piece whether it’s industrial or conceptual.

 
Here is how he describes “Vers A Tile” his interpretation of a contemporary table service:
“The classic table service essentially distinguishes itself through its multiple parts, the possibility of extending it through additional pieces, and its ability to take on many specific functions of our dining culture. Each dish or plate has a function that is specific to a given task. The pieces are identifiable according to essential characteristics that inform the user of the way in which they are to be used. The perception and experience of the service thereby corresponds to a stereotype.

My intention was not to work with the receptive experience of the user, so that he/she might recognize a cup as a cup, but rather leave it up to them, which piece they select to perform the function of ‚cup‘. The pieces should be distinct, prompting the user to instinctively select one or more pieces to meet their appropriate needs.”

 
Another emblematic piece of Lehmann’s work is “Ephemere” a conceptual and fragile creation.

“The soap bubble has existed for over 5,000 years. It has always been more than just a by-product of cleansing or something for children to play with, becoming a symbol for the ephemerality of beauty and of life itself. Blowing a bubble creates something both beautiful and delicate that you know will only last for a few brief moments. Ephemere is a soap bubble bowl from the split second series, comprising products which, once used, last only for a very short space of time. There exists a brief moment, so fleeting as to be imperceptible to the human eye, in which the bowl fulfills its function and is immediately destroyed through doing so.”

studiodavidlehmann.com