>shelving unit 1999 Wallpaper* : A favorite theme in Wong’s work is meeting the opulent with the ordinary, or 'rags to riches, with the rags still attached,' as the designer himself describes it. Where some designers will wax lyrical about the sheer luxury of their creations and others boast of the economy of materials and form, Wong prefers to incorporate both. Wong’s ‘Shelving Unit’ of 1999, is the most basic metal utility frame (bought for $20 in a hardware store), coupled with 2.5cm lucite shelves (that add and extra $600 to production costs). ‘The heavy lucite makes the shelves sturdier,’ says Wong, ‘so you can justify the massive cost that way if you want to.” -Albert Hill |