Transforming Bathroom Aesthetics over Four Decades: The Pioneering Journey of This Cutting-edge Movement.
In the realm of everyday essentials, Kohler stands out conspicuously. From domestic bathrooms to commercial establishments, Kohler's presence is unmistakable—manifested in sinks, toilets, and fixtures intended for utilitarian purposes but often reimagined with a creative twist. Founded in 1873, Kohler has embedded itself deep within our daily rituals, disrupting the conventional norms of utility design.
One of Kohler's most notable early innovations was its first bathtub, cleverly fashioned out of a cast-iron horse trough. In 1985, the company took another daring leap by introducing the Artist Editions program, a venture that sought to merge art with modern bathroom trends. This program, now celebrating its forty-year anniversary, has commissioned over 117 limited-edition designs from a diverse roster of artists, allowing artistry to seep into the realm of everyday fixtures.
Artists such as the resident ceramicists at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and celebrated multidisciplinary talents like Janet Echelman and Daniel Arsham have contributed to this unique collection. In one such collaboration, Arsham, creator of a collaborative cabin I was fortunate to stay in the previous summer, incorporated his signature sculptural Rock.01 sink into the design.
The diversity of the archive—devoid of a singular aesthetic—is deliberate, with each artist bringing their unique visual language to Kohler's vocabulary. Techniques typically associated with bathroom fixtures are eschewed in favor of glasswork, specialty glazes, intricate decals, and more.
Dana Morales, manager of Artist Editions and the CMF Design Studio at Kohler Co., shares the program's mission: "Each time we've pushed the boundaries of what a fixture is expected to look like, we've created moments of awe—moments that shift perceptions." Back in 1985, when the first six collections were launched, the idea that an artist could transform mundane fixtures into functional art seemed audacious. However, the bold vision set the stage for Kohler's continued evolution.
The results have been nothing short of astonishing. In recent years, Kohler released a ceramic sink made entirely through 3D printing, a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and digital technology. Yet, these artistic marvels remain practical instead of being relegated to museum display cases.
Kohler's mission for Artist Editions is clear: "The artistry has never been just for display; it's part of the everyday experience—bringing beauty into daily life." This ethos has guided the program since its inception, ensuring that each piece not only looks stunning but also meets Kohler's high standards of function and quality.
The question now is how these collaborations come to fruition and who gets to create them. In earlier days, artist selection was overseen by Jan Axel, who also developed some of the first collections. Today, the in-house design team takes the lead, partnering with external talents to broaden their creative horizons and continue to push the boundaries of what Artist Editions can be.
The creative process begins with research—trend forecasting, emotional resonance, and the translation of abstract ideas into physical form. Digital renderings and 3D printing aid in the early stages, transforming months of brainstorming into tangible prototypes.
But what of the past? Kohler has more than a century of bathroom innovation behind it. Yet, Artist Editions continues to shape and evolve the sector, ensuring that Kohler remains a frontrunner in bathroom design. With ambitions to keep innovating while preserving the essence of its creations, Kohler's Artist Editions may continue to elevate the everyday.
- The Artist Editions program, launched by Kohler in 1985, aims to infuse art into modern bathroom trends, creating functional art pieces that blend seamlessly into everyday fixtures.
- In the architecture of home-and-garden and interior-design, Kohler's Artist Editions have disrupted conventional norms by merging art with utility design, manipulating the traditional aesthetics of bathroom fixtures with techniques such as glasswork, specialty glazes, and intricate decals.
- Over the past four decades, the Kohler Artist Editions program has commissioned over 117 limited-edition designs from renowned artists, blurring the line between art and lifestyle, and demonstrating how artistry can infuse into our lifestyles, transforming mundane fixtures into extraordinary pieces that elevate home-and-garden trends.
