This week, Design Trawler was invited to the launch of the new Beovision Avant television by Danish purveyor of desperately debonair technology Bang & Olufsen. I've previously discussed the intrinsic lack of design when it comes to televisions; after all, a flat [or even curved] panel of glass is designed to display digital design; content. Not since the Eames inspired Hannslounge have I seen a TV that's anything to write home about from a design perspective.
Until the Beovision Avant. The Bang & Olufsen designers realise that mechanical movement is a critical design factor that is set to define luxury in the digital age. The Avant features a mortised circular base and mortised mounting arm that independently turn through 180 degrees on command.
Switch it on via the remote [milled from a single price of aluminium] and the television will rotate forward to attention. Recline in your Wassily chair with a Glencairn tumbler of Blue, and the Avant will rotate to face you; adjusting the surround sound accordingly. Eat breakfast on the other side of the room and, again, the Avant will pirouette in an orbital dance to bring you Bloomberg with your benedicts...
Not only that, but the integrated speakers slowly descend from the body of the Beovision Avant before fanning out like the curtains of a cinema; a nice touch mirrored also by the digital curtains that open and close over on power-up or down. The table stand too, whilst non-rotatable, tilts and rises when activated; standing to attention when on, and gracefully reclining at a 9 degree angle when not in use.
Have no doubt; movement in design and architecture is going to define the future of how we interact with the world around us [rotating skyscrapers anyone?] Movement and this new machine age of digital plus mechanical, as shown by the remarkable Avant is unmistakably alluring.
