A chat with designer Anna Badur
Das ist Berlin: Part 5
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German designer Anna Badur
All images © Ramtin Zanjani for Pamono, unless otherwise noted
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Designer Anna Badur at work in her Neukölln studio
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Badur in her studio
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Tests for Badur's ONDA tile series, created by natural processes like wave movements and water evaporation
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ONDA, Badur's decorative tile series
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The porcelain Blue Sunday series, inside Badur's Neukölln studio
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For Blue Sunday, Badur dips porcelain pieces into cobalt stain, capturing unique liquid movements
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Badur's experimental Blue Sunday Drop plates, developed in cooperation with Kahla/Thüringen Porzellan
Photo by Sam Beckerman, courtesy of Anna Badur
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Badur's Blue Sunday Pool plates, developed in cooperation with Kahla/Thüringen Porzellan
Photo by Sam Beckerman, courtesy of Anna Badur
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Badur's Berlin studio
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Anna Badur in her studio; in the foreground, the designer's Concrete Stools
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Badur in her studio
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Badur's Concrete Bench
Photo courtesy of Anna Badur
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Badur's Concrete Bench and Stools
Photo courtesy of Anna Badur
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Badur's Whatever the Weather pillows feature windblown pigments atop fabric
Photo courtesy of Anna Badur
Continuing our series on the up-and-coming talents shaping Berlin's contemporary design scene, we recently sat down with German-born Anna Badur to catch up and to get her thoughts on the city's ongoing creative appeal.
Originally from the northern coast of Germany, designer Anna Badur moved to Berlin in 2013 after graduating from the prestigious Design Academy Eindhoven. Known for her experimental furniture, textile, and accessories, Badur finds her inspiration in nature—and, in particular, the often moody, “melancholic beauty” of her hometown of Nordern, characterized by rough rains, winds, and the tides of the North Sea. Her poetic, process-driven work frequently references the rhythmic ebb and flow of this natural environment, and, at times, as in the cases of Drawn by Nature (2012) and Whatever the Weather Collection (2014), even harnesses the power of natural forces like wind and water to determine objects’ aesthetics.
While Badur’s inspiration is decidedly organic, urban life offers a powerful cultural counterbalance and an opportunity to connect with other artistically minded people. “To me, Berlin is a place for exchange. I love to share a studio space with other creatives from different fields such as fashion, art, and carpentry. As a designer, I see my work quite often in between many fields, and it can be very inspiring and helpful to have people around you who are also creatives but in another profession.”
When asked how the city’s ongoing changes affect her outlook as a designer, Badur tells us, “I think this process of gentrification is happening in any bigger city, and the phenomenon is something that we can't change or stop. I wish we [could]. But unfortunately money is power. Of course raising rents is a problem for all creative people and will push their workspaces further outside of the center or even make them leave Berlin at some point. This would be sad. But,” she says, at the same time, “I love that Berlin is international.”
*This story is part of a series on the emerging talents helping define Berlin’s contemporary design landscape. Get to know more of the new generation of designers—and their thoughts about their chosen hometown—by clicking below.
Das ist Berlin: A conversation with Philipp Käfer Read here.
Das ist Berlin: A visit with MY KILOS Read here.
Das ist Berlin: The city's new design guard discusses a shifting landscape Read here.
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Text by
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Anna Carnick
Anna is Pamono’s Managing Editor. Her writing has appeared in several arts and culture publications, and she's edited over 20 books. Anna loves celebrating great artists, and seriously enjoys a good picnic.
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Photos by
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Ramtin Zanjani
Beyond his role as Pamono’s Head of Photography, Ramtin has honed his keen eye through years of product shoots, art direction, advertising, and documentary work. He doesn’t like to talk about it, but he has some searing photographs available at SaatchiArt.com.
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Drop Plate from the Blue Sunday Series by Anna Badur, Set of 4
Blue Sunday / Pool / Plate by Anna Badur, Set of 4
Whatever the Weather #01 Pillow by Anna Badur
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On The Floe Side Table by Andreas Berlin
Everyone Says Hi Side Table by Andreas Berlin
Made of Stone Side Table by Andreas Berlin
Brass Buttons Side Table by Andreas Berlin
Glück Side Table by Andreas Berlin
Steel Drop Big in Black by e27 Berlin for Pulpo
Linus Light Cable by MYKILOS
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No Cardboard in Metallic Pink by Philipp Käfer
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Highball Ray Glasses by MYKILOS, Set of 4
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Egg Rock Marble Egg Cup by MYKILOS
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Large Beige Cotton Bowl by Krupka-Stieghan
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Black & Yellow Cotton Bowl by Krupka-Stieghan
Yellow & Beige Cotton Bowl by Krupka-Stieghan