The Dandies

The Dandies are optical mirrors. The Dandies are material mirrors. The Dandies are conceptual mirrors. Inspired from historical mirror-making techniques, benandsebastian have aimed to create a project that operates on multiple levels: as a design object, as an image and as a spatial installation that reflects, distorts and reshapes its context. Ben Clement and Sebatian de la Cour graduated, respectively, from the University of Cambridge and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen. Subsequently they both studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL, London), graduating in 2006. Most of benandsebastian's works are made in wood, but they like to combine the wood with other materials. Their works develop in a process of serious play. They tackle their interests head on and are not afraid to explore the dysfunctional and the unfashionable. In their latest works they have drawn inspiration from a wide range of sources including mediaeval rituals, romantic ruins, office politics and an urban legend from Manhattan. benandsebastian develop their works in a process of continuous ‘story-telling', and their works seem to defy singular interpretations, thus appealing all the more to the beholder's imagination. They have received several grants and awards; in 2008 they received Politiken's Talent Award, and in 2011 they were selected for the ‘Walk the Plank' award. In connection with the ‘Walk the Plank' award, the retrospective solo exhibition ‘Phantom Limbs' was shown at Designmuseum Danmark. They have received several grants from the Danish Arts Foundation and taken part in the Cabinetmakers' Autumn Exhibition since 2008. In 2011 they took part in MINDCRAFT11 in Milan.