TETRIS | Studio VON SCHOENEBECK

“Born to be burned!”: The TETRIS Chandelier's Journey

Amidst the enchanting ambiance of a small pop-up market hosted by the concept store Salon c/o this past December, the TETRIS Chandelier made its grand debut. Standing among a carefully curated collection of both emerging and renowned brands and artists from December 7th to 9th, 2023, this exquisite piece captured the hearts of attendees with its unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship. VON SCHOENEBECK, the Munich-based studio formed by the artist duo Magdalena and Johannes, is the creative force behind it.

 The Story

The chandelier first captured attention as a prototype made from scrap wood during this year's Kocherlball, a traditional annual Bavarian celebration. Every year in the middle of summer, people gather after midnight in the English Garden, bringing their picnics, cutlery and candles to light up the many tables of the still sleeping and dark beer garden. With the first drinks being served deep in the night, they witness the sunrise in the magical light of hundreds of chandeliers and dance into the dew.

On the eve of this celebration, claimed as the hottest day of summer 2023, Johannes secluded himself in his cooled-down workshop in the basement, where he created three rough prototypes of chandeliers specifically designed for the following night: one each, holding five, seven and nine candles.

In the night during the ball, the self-made chandeliers emerged from the crowd with their simple elegance, causing a sensation. Many attendees were so enamoured with these rough prototypes that they sought to purchase them directly from the table. This was the moment when Verena, the founder of Salon c/o, saw the chandeliers for the first time. Some months later, Magdalena and Johannes coincidentally found themselves at her space and discovered that she was aware and already infatuated by their project, thus sparking the development of a first edition of chandeliers.

The Chandeliers

Derived, yet altered and evolved from the design language of the chandelier presented at the Kocherlball, TETRIS dazzles in three distinct variations: for three, five, or seven candles. Crafted in a limited series of just 13 pieces, the chandeliers are made from burned wood, utilising a centuries-old Japanese technique called shou sugi ban.  This poetic idea emerged after the bunt-down candles had started to lightly charr the surface of the rough wooden prototypes during the Kocherlball. The colour combination of black and red creates a synthesis of elegance and festive expression. The three simple, repeating basic shapes merge into a fascinating geometric figure constructed on the same foundational form.

Inspired by clarity and simplicity in design language, the chandelier embodies a fusion of conceptual stringency and industrial design ethos. Rejecting the notion of "form follows function," TETRIS transcends mere functionality: they carry a rich heritage, inter-weaving tales of tradition, origins, and a longing for beauty. They symbolise the quest for objects that seamlessly integrate into the canvas of life, akin to finding that perfect puzzle piece. They serve as conduits of emotion, evoking a sense of festivity and nostalgia.

The response to the launch in December was overwhelming, with nearly every piece swiftly finding its new home. For those who seek to bask in the radiance of this extraordinary creation, a few remaining pieces can still be discovered at Salon c/o. But the journey of the TETRIS Chandelier doesn't end here. A second edition is already in the making, promising even more enchanting surprises, perhaps once again during the magical night of this year’s Kocherlball.