The first new product for 2021 by Opera Contemporary also marks the beginning of a new artistic partnership, with the eclectic duo Draga & Aurel, who masterfully interpret the contemporary sensibility and traditional craftsmanship of the Como-based brand, in an ironic piece with sinuous, subtly organic forms: the Aurora lounge chair and ottoman.
The ‘complementary’ creativity of Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow, often trespassing beyond disciplinary boundaries, channels its expressive impact into an object of unmistakable functional value, generating a refined hybrid of vintage memories, contemporary styling and innovation.
“Elegance is our attitude”
The designers have focused on a curved silhouette, suggesting the design of the 1960s, capable of enhancing the soft padding of the leather and the fine excellent workmanship that sets the company apart, thanks to carefully gauged thicknesses.
Aurora, together with the ottoman, is striking for its ephemeral lightness and forceful lines. Almost a sculpture to display in any space in the home, the perfect combination of elegance, comfort and functional quality.
The inspiration
The inspiration behind the lounge chair comes from fashion, always a major passion for Draga Obradovic: “I could glimpse the perfect image for Aurora in the elegant braiding of a leather handbag I simply adore. The design was also suggested by the form of certain incredibly feminine heels. Its primary value lies in the movement which the excellent engineering of the solid wood structure has managed to generate with that material.”
Innovation and tradition
A virtuous process involving the designers, the art direction of the studio Bestetti Associati and an in-house research & development team has led to the creation of a product that is solid but with a light, slender image at the same time. The preliminary ergonomic studies and the aesthetic code envisioned for the project guided the prototyping and made it possible to choose the ideal technology. The results are evident in the maximum slimming of the wooden sections, in the point where the levers cross, and in the extreme extension of the legs, which become a forceful architectural sign thanks to the presence of sophisticated metal accents.
The exceptional innovation, dynamic design, padding and refined coverings effectively convey the values of Opera Contemporary: craftsmanship, the great cabinetmaking tradition, attention to detail, a sartorial attitude, and investment in innovative technologies.
