Federico Stefanovich

AGO Projects, the collectible design gallery based in Mexico City, announces the Folia summer exhibition, featuring a lighting collection designed by Federico Stefanovich.

Folia, the new collection of sculptural luminaires by the emerging designer Federico Stefanovich, where craftsmanship meets design through natural inspiration. Each piece in this collection has been meticulously handcrafted using three main materials: solid wood, brass, and cast bronze. These materials not only showcase the exceptional skill involved in their creation but also contribute to giving each luminaire a unique character due to their inherent properties.

The inspiration behind this collection comes from organic and geometric forms found in the plant elements of our country. Based on intricate shapes and patterns typical of plants, seeds, and fungi, each composition unfolds from a body or structure similar to a stem, which connects with one or more shades that, in turn, emulate different forms of foliage.

The organic design process and its relationship with the materials are the main focus of the development of this collection. Each piece derives from a careful process of conceptualization and digital prototyping by the designer, which is then translated by a distinguished technical team specializing in three artisanal processes: bronze casting, wood carving, and metalworking. As a result of this artisanal approach and the materials used, the pieces present unique details that, far from being imperfections, are kept evident and celebrated.

One of the most outstanding features of these luminaires is the hidden light source, carefully positioned to refract on polished brass surfaces. This design choice creates a warm, soft, and indirect lighting effect that enhances the sculptural and dramatic character of the pieces.

Balance is also a crucial aspect of the collection. Each luminaire is carefully calculated to distribute weights, ensuring stability and visual harmony. This thoughtful approach not only enhances the functionality of the luminaires but also elevates their aesthetic appeal. The result is a group of pieces perfectly blending form and function, offering practicality and artistic expression.

Finally, although the playful character is evident both in the construction and assembly of the pieces and in the forms themselves, which invite interaction and provoke the user's surprise, the formal expression, minimalist design gestures, and raw materials used to make the luminaires of the Folia collection sophisticated and timeless elements that aspire to become protagonists of the domestic spaces of clients and collectors passionate about contemporary design.

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Federico Stefanovich, a Mexican designer, was born and raised in Mexico City, where his studio is based. His approach to collectible design emerged after spending half a decade at Esrawe Studio as a furniture and product designer. Through sophisticated formal expression and a strong conceptual approach in his projects, he seeks to explore the emotional relationship between the object and the user.

Concepts such as balance and counterpoise are crucial in the design of Federico’s pieces, as he aims to communicate a poetic and clever playfulness in his work. Attention to detail, versatility, and resourcefulness, complemented by the marvelous execution of local craftsmen, are essential in developing the pieces in his portfolio. Federico's work has been recognized and published on multiple platforms and in national and international media, including Architectural Digest, Design Milk, Leibal, and Interior Design magazine, among others.

— AGO Projects