The Flexible Living - Interview to Matteo Cibic

For the first time ever Timberland enters the world of the Milan Design Week and does so with an installation by designer Matteo Cibic, The Flexible Living. Inspired by the iconic Timberland Boat Shoe, The Flexible Living incorporates the new edition of this model with the new SensorFlex sole creating a perfect blend of heritage and innovation.

We interviewed Matteo Cibic to discover more about this amazing project for Timberland.

#1 Tell us about your project with Timberland, how have you integrated the Boat Shoe concept?

I integrated my life here in Milan in the concept. I'm always on the run, from an appointment to another by bicycle or by foot, and hence the idea of these two extremely smooth legs that simulate this rotary motion, an extremely fluid but constant movement. During the Design Week we are all constantly moving from one place to another, from one appointment to another and having this design icon which is the Boat Shoe Timberland reinvented with this extremely flexible sole as an inspiration, I decided to want to propose this same comfort to Milan's citizens and visitors with the creation of this bench. The Flexible Living has given me the opportunity to explore the large-scale: this is an installation of 10 x 8 meters x 4 meters high.

# 2 For Timberland this is the first time at the Fuori Salone, how did you feel to be chosen as its creative mind?

Well, I always work with clients with whom I have an immediate emotional and emphatic "click" and with Timberland that' what happened. I enjoyed very much working at this project and I had a lot of space to realize my vision.

#3 Many of your works are inspired by the flora and fauna, from what you get inspiration?

The inspiration for me is everywhere. I often visit museums, art galleries, I read various publications and catalogs and so my research often cross borders, like Naso Naso. These moments of pure research lead me to make combinations and lines that before I would not have experienced, not to mention that I try to work as much as possible by hand but, traveling so much, I realized many projects with technological tools. For my projects I also collaborate with different artisans and this union of technology and technique is a thing I really like, this fusion of machine and manual but not extremized... the precision craftsmanship works with very advanced technologies and has the ability to create products never seen before.

#4 What does "design" mean to you ?

For me, the term design changes its meaning every morning, every day. It is a way to express myself, to have fun, to eat and also a way to create objects of wonder. It is a tool to satisfy my extreme curiosity.

#5 Do you think it's an open industry to young people?

Mmm, I think is a different concept ... there is no "design system" but, on the contrary, we believe this environment to exist in Italian companies that produce sofas, forks, furniture etcetera. I think it's an academic deformation that pushes us to have this thought-pattern. Italy is a country which produces everything, and there is still much to be invented, many new worlds to discover and infinite potential which, however, the design has not yet approached. This is what  young people who want to appear in this world should do: create something never seen before.