“Design Heart” is horrifyingly alive, Konstantin Landuris says by way of explanation of his latest 2.5-meter-high sculpture, whose insect-like wings flap to the rhythm of a heartbeat by means of a through-flow of air. To make it, the Munich-based designer combined carbon-reinforced plastic, latex, anodized aluminum, thermoplastic material (PET), and polyester fabric – and his creation is his contribution to the “Man-Machine” discussion. Landuris is fascinated by topics such as kinetics, robotics, mechatronics, and by materials used in aerospace, and they provide him with inspiration for his installations, which range between design and art. Occasionally they lead to actual products, such as his wall-mounted mobile, the design of which is based on the far more complex kinetic sculpture “New World Order”. Following a phase in which he mainly created freelance works for galleries, he now intends to focus again on serial product design.
Konstantin Landuris
Whowhatwherewhenhow?
Where would you like to live?
In a big city, in a house on the cliffs overlooking the sea, in a mountain hut and without doubt for a time on a space station.
Your favorite character in the history of design?
Leonardo da Vinci and Achille Castiglioni.
Which qualities do you admire in a designer?
Curiosity, intellect and humor. I really appreciate a designer telling a good story with his work.
What do you enjoy doing most?
Designing! But not only. There are lots of activities that go together well; traveling, drawing, doing sport, watching movies, tinkering with the car, dreaming...
Your main personality trait?
Adventurous!!
Your biggest mistake?
My choice of lunch today in the canteen.
Your idea of happiness?
Now that’s easy; it would be great to always be free to make decisions, to be able to discover the world, to keep on managing to make ingenious ideas reality, to enjoy the view from the house on the cliffs with family and friends, to water my flower on the space station, to always eat well.
What do you find really annoying?
Arrogance.
Your favorite material?
Glass, wood, concrete, carbon-reinforced plastic, BoPET. Aluminum is great, I like working with different fabrics and right now I’m very interested in carbon nanotubes. Anyone know a supplier?
Your favorite flower?
Bird of paradise.
What kind of music do you listen to when you work?
Electronic, classical – it depends on what mood I’m in. Often none at all.
Which design achievement do you most detest?
There are certainly designs that can be very much improved. The colors of the German flag, for example. It needs a makeover.
Which talent would you like to have?
To be able to travel through time.
Can you describe your present state of mind?
Back refreshed working on several cool projects.
Your motto?
To infinity and far beyond!
