DAUBARAITĖ, Jurga & ŽUKAUSKAS, Jonas (eds.)
Jonas Prapuolenis: STUDIJA

A book about designer Jonas Prapuolenis’ hand-built Studio – a peculiar space, where he designed and produced most of his work over a remarkable and inventive career. It sits on a nearly century-old site in the Žaliakalnis neighbourhood of Kaunas (Lithuania) alongside Prapuolenis’ home and surrounding garden, which continue to be cared for by his son, Bangutis Prapuolenis.

Jonas Prapuolenis (1900–1980) was a designer, artist, and educator who interpreted the textures and qualities of local timber, and its particular, unique structures and patterns shaped by the local climate and terrain and translated its geometries into artistic furniture pieces.

The book gathers photographs by Rasa Juškevičiūtė that capture fragments of the studio building, documenting and revealing evidence of Jonas Prapuolenis’ practice and knowledge – design and craft processes that can be read through singular pieces of furniture stored inside the crumbling wooden structure of the workshop; his material storage and showroom filled with seasoned raw, rough timber pieces; unfinished design components; sketches on paper; bone and amber ornaments; and fine particles of dust accumulated through time.

Alongside the photographs, an inserted notebook holds contributions (in English and Lithuanian) written by Kotryna Lingienė and Aistė Dičkalnytė, which study the history of the Studio and offer a wider perspective of Prapuolenis’ life and intentions. Their words unravel layers of slow time and the singular way Prapuolenis worked with materials while reflecting on folkloristic themes and modernist design, the meaning of such heritage and the importance of preserving the Studio. [publishers’ note]

Published by Kirvarpa, 2024
Design by Goda Budvytytė
Monographs / Design / Crafts