Ultimate lightness combined with structural strength posed a challenge to Oskar Zięta when he decided to design another functional metal object in 2019. This is how the Ultraleggera was created - a chair that amazes with its featherweight and the ability to withstand impressive loads. Showing the idea of lightness behind this piece of furniture was also a challenge for Ernest Wińczyk, a photographer working on a promotional photo shoot for Zięta Studio. Henry FR velvet curtains became the backdrop for the ultra-light chair.
How to show lightness? How to illustrate bewilderment experienced by all those trying to lift the Ultraleggera? How to show the minimalism of form achieved through many hours of work on reducing the weight of the furniture and deducting aluminium gram by gram?
In Ernest Wińczyk's photos, full of soft light, the chair is shown in three different finishes: anodic black, anodic natura, and white matt. In each of the three arrangements, the main heroes are the different generations of users: the Ultraleggera accompanies their daily activities. Light, simple in form, inspiring – it is an excellent companion in play and work. One might even say it is an extension of the body. The poses full of tenderness and grace as well as the gestures of the models reveal the multi-functionality, but also the poetic character of this piece of furniture. The scenes with the child refer to the iconic photograph by Giorgio Casali, in which a boy easily lifts a chair with a manual scale.
Exquisite, colourful Henry FR woven velvet drapes provide an intriguing, painterly backdrop to these scenes. The thick fabric looks like it yields to gravity to a greater extent than the aluminium Ultraleggera, which seems to be floating in the air. The velvet falls in waves, drapes itself under its own weight. The folds of the fabric reflect the soft light, giving the impression of being much heavier than they really are – they seem almost carved in stone.
Creative Directors: Ernest Wińczyk + Koka Skowrońska @kokaskowronska
Photographer: Ernest Wińczyk @ultraunicorn
Client: Zięta Studio @zieta_studio
Models: Nina Starkel(Dancing Międzypokoleniowy)
Pola Łangowska @frckls___
Bartek Stawiński @st.bart
Gustaw Stawiński
Lighting Artist: Mateusz Skraba @matskra
Costume Designer: Marcela Stańczyk @marcelastanczyk
Costume Assistants: Kuba Czarnotta: @kubaczarnotta
Set Design: Piotr Piwowar @dzzikidzzik
Makeup & Hair: Kamila Jankowska @hellokama
Photographer Assistants: Krzysztof Durmaj @niecodziennik_fotograficzny, Roch Adamczak
@rochadamczak
Studio Assistant: Karolina Gołos @karolina_majaa
Post-production: Agata Bielska @ab_postproduction
Production Assistant: Katarzyna Sojka @kasojka.makeup
Studio: Pinup Studio @studiopinup
Special thanks: Dekoma, Fuji Film Poland, Pinup Studio
Fabrics from the Dekoma collection featured in the session:
Velour of beautiful velvet surface, made of fire-retardant polyester. It comes in extensively wide range of 89 colours: from intensely neon shades to subdued smoky colours. The fabric has good technical parameters, including high resistance to abrasion (over 50 000 Martindale cycles). Henry FR is recommended for public utility as well as private interiors. Certified with OEKO-TEX. Fire-retardant in accordance with the French NF 92-507 standard (M1).