text: German design magazine Goodlife has featured Bodo Sperlein and his photo series by photographer Manu Toro in its "Designers to Watch" section.
  The series presents a surrealist approach to object presentation, bringing the objects to the forefront of the image, showcasing design as art. The article highlights several of Bodo's works, including the Script collection, the Botanica rug for GAN Rugs, the Portal collection for Weishäupl, and artisan wallpaper for Coordonné.
  In the feature, Sperlein also discusses his design philosophy, his dream project and the upcoming Art Nouveau exhibition at the Kunsthalle Munich.
  Find out more about 'Jugendstil. Made in Munich' exhibition by clicking here.
  Read the english version below:
  In the art world, "Trompe-l'Œil" refers to a technique in illusionistic painting that creates an optical illusion, tricking the eye. Bodo Sperlein has applied this technique to wallpaper designs. For the manufacturer Coordonné, he magnified fabric folds and printed them on paper. These designs play with our perception, creating the illusion of a curtain. Sperlein is particularly passionate about exploring materials and textures. He delves into historical references, studies manufacturing processes, and pushes boundaries. This often results in something new, like a Baroque motif translated into our digital age.
  In collaboration with Spanish photographer Manutoro, Sperlein has now captured the murals of his Artisan Collection and other design concepts in surreal photographs. This contemporary visual language, according to Sperlein, reflects his belief that Surrealism is a form of escapism, providing comfort by retreating into immersive dream worlds. The photos also feature lighting designs for the Vienna-based glass manufacturer Lobmeyr (seen on the right page and in portrait), as well as a pleated cabinet for Wogg, a Swiss brand. People appear in the photos too—here a hand, there two legs—but, as Sperlein notes, “In these Instagram times, where filtered humans are always the focus, Manutoro lets the objects take center stage.”
  Sperlein himself is a master of ceremonies, approaching design holistically. His dream project? To create a complete work of art—a house, from the door handle to the light switch, maybe even a hotel—using an exciting material that currently fascinates him: brick. “I don’t feel the need to be an industrial designer,” he says candidly. “The world doesn’t need more chairs. If I make one, it has to be special, a unique object.”
  Take, for example, his "Contour" line (see bench on page 175) with its elegant curves inspired by Art Nouveau. Many of his designs have been around for years, with some even finding a place in museums. He’s run a successful design studio in London for years. Recently, his hometown of Munich entrusted him with a project perfectly tailored to him: designing the concept for the Jugendstil exhibition at the Hypo Kunsthalle, opening on October 25. In one of the eleven themed rooms, Sperlein will recreate the façade of the famous “Hofatelier Elvira,” a photography studio from 1900. It sounds spectacular and suspiciously like a total work of art.