Page 17 - Designing Ways 258

the pandemic, no ships were arriving
anytime soon. Admirably undeterred,
Kleinloog’s team undertook what must
be the most heart-warming interior
design journey that has evolved over the
past two years.
It all began when Kleinloog asked
designer, Koos Groenewald of creative
studio Jana+Koos: ‘Can you make a rug?
Actually, can you make art + rugs?’ An
artist in his own right, he jumped at the
challenge. It started with just one rug,
but as he began talking to other globally
acclaimed, local artists about creating
contemporary artworks to weave into
large and colourful floor rugs, the
excitement was palpable.
It was soon dubbed ‘the rug Brabetz Carpet
project’ and they began to look at rug
manufacturers who could help realise
their vision. In the end, they discovered African weavers to produce these grand translated beautifully. I didn’t understand
the highly professional team of skilled creations. Speaking of the rugs: ‘They the skillset that went into making a flat
craftspeople at Brabetz Carpet Mill in really are artworks in their own right,’ paper work into a luscious and colourful
Durban. It was high-risk – there were no enthuse Jana+Koos. artwork.’
colour charts, no one was able to visit the Each suite features one of the artist’s And Groenewald’s own work? As the
mill during lockdown, and everything rugs and the main lodge area features the originator of the project, he is humble.
was done over video and phone. This was unexpected ‘Eat Me (Bananas)’ artwork ‘This artwork of mine was just lying about
indeed a collaborative form of trust. by Paulsen. The artist hopes that his in my studio. I would love everyone to
‘We started this project in the deepest, contribution invokes ‘a feeling of joy and see the cheeky side of this rug – it’s a little
darkest depths of Covid uncertainty, happiness’. That it does. All the rugs do, bit naughty and has a little bit of nudity
and it was such a spark of joy in such a in fact. in it’ Need we say more?
dark time. In many ways, the absolute Marx, a painter who has been working ‘The result is enchanting,’ says
fun and frivolity of colour and joy of with visual language for many years, Ichikowitz. ‘Our philosophy is to delight
engagement was so welcome in the found it interesting to ‘see an artwork our guests with the unexpected and I
disjointed, masked-up world. At the transformed.’ Her artwork is inspired by believe we have achieved this with our
same time, it was inspirational to be ribbons and how they fall to the ground. new-look luxury interiors and by adding
planning for visitors to come back to ‘It’s about the power of line,’ she says. ‘We gravitas to our art collection.’
South Africa,’ says Kleinloog. Coupled automatically want to follow lines. It’s There is no doubt that the new
with this, ‘the owner has a wonderful so special how Molori encourages us to Molori interiors invite an immersive,
spirit of adventure and we were rewarded slow down in this beautiful space and to high-fashion experience, one that
with gems of feedback, criticism, debate appreciate the artworks.’ is unexpected in the African bush.
and discussion. Molori means “to dream” Platter, an internationally acclaimed Astonishing and fresh, it celebrates
and, in all honesty, this project has been visual artist who works in different the country’s vibrant cultures and
just that, a dream project!’ mediums, confesses: ‘When I was love of colour, while pushing creative
“We collaborated with some of South approached to work on this project, I boundaries and raising the bar, proving
Africa’s most provocative contemporary was over the moon. Based on ‘A Night that even in the heart of a pandemic,
artists, who agreed to have their of Bliss’, the woven rug takes from the South Africans are particularly good at
artworks interpreted and woven into original and makes it better!’ ‘making a plan’.
these magnificent rugs,” says Molori’s The rug journey during the pandemic ‘It defies all other genres that we see in
owner, Ivor Ichikowitz. The artists are was an opportunity to experience the safari world,’ says Kleinloog. ‘Molori
Athi-Patra Ruga, Cameron Platter, Jody something entirely new for many of now gives an adventurous, spirited vision
Paulsen, Maja Marx, Nabeeha Mohamed the artists, and Platter is not alone in of a safari – it’s about unabashed joy and
and Koos Groenewald. marvelling at the outcome. ‘I thought humour. And we hope future guests will
Jana+Koos applied their graphic the rug was way better than my original literally be “floored” when they arrive
design ability and worked with Brabetz watercolour artworks’ says Cape Town (excuse the pun),’ she says. dw
to skillfully interpret the artworks artist Mohamed. ‘It’s a combination
into digitised patterns, enabling South of three different artworks. It’s been www.brabetz.co.za

dw • Issue 258 17