Monica Förster for Zanat

In 2015 Monica Förster works as design director for the Bosnian company Zanat, whose woodcarving technique is an official 2015 candidate for the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The collection developed by Monica Förster consists of three pieces: a dining chair, a shelves and cabinet system and a bowls series.

Unna is a dining chair with soft, minimalistic, yet humanistic expression. The lightweight structure represents the highest end of wood craftmanship and its elegant joints support a sturdy seat and backrest. The chair can be costumized by applying Zanat’s carving techniques. Finding inspiration in nature, Monica Förster have modernized the carvings, preserving, however, the genuine technique. The finish can be either natural or stained wood creating a contemporary expression and an additional way to personalize the chair. To enhance the comfort, a molded cushion in leather can be added.

Tara is a system of self-standing cabinets and shelves that can be used as single units or as a family. The cabinets can be used both aligned against a wall or in a more flexible way as room dividers in big spaces. The inspiration for Tara’s design comes from neoplasticism’s proportions. This solid wood cabinet system consists of a shelf-like structure, which in the high version, holds an enclosed storage box. Each cabinet can be personalized by the possiblity of chosing a variety of abstract patterns.

The bowls are made by hand with improvised patterns from the carvers. To be used for fruit, small objects or on the dining table.

Sarajevo Sessions
Design: Monica Förster
Producer: Zanat