Excessive Boo: amaranthine

Henry Baumann, a Berlin-based artist, transforms overlooked, seemingly worthless materials into extraordinary creations that redefine their purpose. His playful compositions, while visually lighthearted, conceal an impressive structural integrity that captivates the viewer. His work spans a remarkable range, from large-scale conceptual sculptures to intimate pieces of furniture design and lighting, showcasing his versatility and boundless creativity.

Baumann’s acclaimed Boo series epitomizes his artistry, featuring tables and seating crafted from meticulously stacked resin bubbles. These organic forms, influenced by chance yet guided by his thoughtful frameworks, glow with a gentle translucency that imparts a sense of fluidity and elegance. Resting atop polished brass feet, the pieces invite touch with their smooth, matte surfaces, striking a harmonious balance between structure and spontaneity.

Eschewing initial sketches, he works intuitively, embracing the unexpected. “When I’m experimenting with these materials, I often begin with an idea that fails—but through failure, something unexpected emerges. I’m fascinated by that process,” he shares.

A graduate in Product Design from the Akademie Beeldende Kunsten Maastricht in the Netherlands, Baumann burst onto the scene in 2012, winning the Recycling Design Award. His innovative works have been commissioned by private collectors in Maastricht and commercial clients like Novotel. His extensive exhibition history spans Vienna, Düsseldorf, Milan, Amsterdam, and beyond, with pieces featured in museum collections such as Kunstfestival Watou in Belgium and Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig