ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Minjae Kim and Garcé Dimofski Blend Design and Domesticity in Porto Showroom

architecture-design · 2026-10-08

In Porto, Portugal, South Korean designer Minjae Kim teamed up with Garcé Dimofski, enlisting local artisans to create his furniture. The showroom merges the concepts of display and living, fostering an unusual domestic environment. Kim's designs showcase fundamental shapes imbued with human-like traits, where functionality aligns with movement. His chairs resemble stylized figures akin to a primitive alphabet, drawing inspiration from Art Brut and postmodern aesthetics. This partnership highlights craftsmanship as a pathway to innovative design languages. Photographs document the journey, transitioning from black-and-white workshop images to the inviting hues of the showroom, featuring wood, ceramics, and natural light. The Garcé Dimofski space thrives when it transforms beyond a simple showroom, allowing for meaningful coexistence of objects.

Key facts

  • Minjae Kim is a South Korean designer.
  • The collaboration is with Garcé Dimofski in Porto, Portugal.
  • Pieces are crafted by local artisans in Portugal.
  • Kim's design language uses essential forms with a subtle anthropomorphic imprint.
  • The work references Art Brut and postmodern design.
  • Photographs show chairs in their raw state in the workshop.
  • The showroom space blurs the boundary between objects for viewing and objects for living.
  • The project reflects on form transcending geographies, techniques, and hands.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Garcé Dimofski

Locations

  • Porto
  • Portugal
  • South Korea

Sources