Ministry of the Interior showroom; Soft Citizen by Ministry of the Interior, via Mocoloco.com
Jason MacIsaac, alumni of Ontario College of Art and Design is an art and design renaissance man. His oeuvre includes fashion photography, curating and managing galleries, production design for film and television and now, the cutting edge interior design firm and showroom gallery, Ministry of the Interior. Their clients – such as Toronto film production company, Soft Citizen, and ad agency, John St. – represent some of the creative zeitgeist in Canada, gelling perfectly with Ministry’s conceptual take on design.
I spoke with Jason recently to see if he was any closer to deciding what the ULTIMATE space means to him, than when I interviewed the rest of the gang at the IDS10 promotional photo shoot some months back.
And he does! How exciting!
Elana Safronsky: Can you speak a bit about what you’ll be doing with the 800 square feet of allotted space?
Jason MacIsaac: Yes, actually. Our installation is called Rolling Hills, and it’s more of an abstract, architectural experience rather than a traditional interior space or showroom. It’s an experiential concept combining architectural and landscape design, with social aspects.
ES: what’s it gonna look like?
JM: well, it’s funny, so far everyone who’s seen it say “Great! What is it?” We decided not to make it a real space, because it’s not a real space. We wanted it to be more like fantasy, and so there are three conical spaces – raging from 8 to 16 feet – made from a variety of solid woods, joined by a passageway. Each space is of a different height, with a large opening overhead to cast light into the space and showcase the form and material.
ES: Can you tell me a bit more about the materials?
JM: All the wood is solid, and we used an interestingly treated maple, whereby it’s fired at 2700 degrees, giving it a natural walnut colour – it’s as if petrified. We’re also debuting – a world debut, by the way, following a launch party in New York City – the brand new lighting designs by acclaimed designer Jason Miller, coincidentally named Roll & Hill.
ES: For real? Honestly a coincidence?
JM: Yeah, it’s funny, but true.
ES: Now, I know the word ‘trends’ must be one of your least favourite, but if you could, what are you into for 2010?
JM: Well, I can tell you that what I’m specifically interested in right now, and I guess I could say colour – I’ve always loved colour -- so I love the Nos Da blankets from UK company SCP, and sculpture/installations by Michael Johansson.
Can’t wait to experience the experiment!
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