Constantin Goagea: In 2008 you came back from UK. Certainly, to move mountains and I suppose you quickly banged your head against brick walls.
Anca Fetcu: A day after coming back… (laughing) …No, not at all…Well, they said it’ s not possible, not here, not now, it’s difficult and it won’t come out.
C.G.: What’s not possible?
A.F.: To make lights that are design, not craft or art objects and to get operating approvals for electrical appliances.
C.G.: What’s the difference between craft, design and artistic?
A.F.: It’s a matter of output automation and finishing. It needs to be machine-made not man-made. The machine provides a better control and detail. I came back to definitely do my job.
C.G: So, a series of objects and you bore in mind the cost – output – sale chain. There is quite a competition on the side of lights / lamps – local distributors have got serious brands, notorious designers and so on. How do you fight them?
A.F.: Yes, it’s true – we don’t have items Made in Romania and willy-nilly I have to compete with foreign design. Which I don’t really want, it’s only that we’re missing the same level here. However, I’ve got a more positive strategy – I work with architects. They choose a designer’s objects, that is they choose another brand and extend their area by another name.
C.G.: How do you sell?
A.F.: I cooperate with stores, both online and directly and shortly, via my own online shop.
C.G.: Can you buy design online?
A.F.: I think, we as a market, are not ready to do it. It depends on the photographs…if it is a piece of scenery, it’s better to be part of a context than just laying on a shelf.
C.G.: How big is Anca Fetcu enterprise?
A.F.: Just myself and a pointwise support from different co-workers.
C.G.: Lights… What kind of lights, what for and to whom?
A.F.: House interior, mainly table, night, ambiance lights, very decorative and having a story. There are almost 10 models. Beside lights – small furniture, shelves, hangers, and on standby, larger furniture.
C.G.: How do you make them?
A.F.: In specialized workshops, with plexiglas, MDF, wood, metal.
C.G.: Electric certification?
A.F.: I’ve managed to avoid the issue, because I choose components that are certified and thought to be home assembled. The works themselves are somehow inspired from a packaging process. This helped me to be efficient in using materials and to simplify to the most: a gluing and weld free sheet, just folded. It’s also a matter of what I can do as a young designer – to keep it simple and do not get hurdles on my way. Therefore, objects out of a bent sheet and nothing else. Hangers in a single sheet, volume and space in a sheet.
C.G.: Proximities?
A.F.: It was a time when I used to get inspired from games, toys, children’s stuff , let’s say Alessi, or Jaime Hayon… whichever is more arty, more dramatic. This inspires me.
C.G.: How about your participation at the two design events in winter?
A.F.: It’s been great, great… Warmly welcomed. I’ve felt like facing the right target.
C.G.: Any development strategies?
A.F.: An improved distribution. And certainly, I’m looking for the best relationship with architects. Then, to do more than lights, to get into interiors – I already have shelves and mirrors. I haven’t got a firm request, yet. It’s what strikes my mind when getting into direct touch with the housing or when having a flash of inspiration. I don’t work with expensive materials or those I can’t afford, I start with less. My colleagues from school are now involved into advertising, they are psychotic, they don’t dare to make object design…. I have exhibited in Milan by representing Elle Decoration Romania, and Giulio Capellini chose Terrier and Liar; he said they are great. The editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration Italy told that my objects are really cool. I have had a very good press. In the future I wish exclusive stuff, distribution chains such as Molecule F, for instance (it’s more on fashion, at this point…), C?rture?ti stores – institutions with comfort, lifestyle, looking for a story, associating books, music, atmosphere, a story and educated people.
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Anca Fetcu is cofounder of Bucharest Design Center.
