Humans have an innate drive to seek inspiration, from things, places, and moments in time. Part of this inclination compels us to find a way to preserve these moments. Have you ever wondered what it truly means to collect? To seek, subsequently, affected by a need to possess? A desire to own and then to display? To assemble a treasure trove that transcends the material into something profoundly personal and meaningful? In a captivating conversation with Canadian designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg of Yabu Pushelberg, they give us a sneak peek into their little-known love of collecting. Their impressive art collection consists of works by Anish Kapoor, Cindy Sherman, Wolfgang Tillmans, Simon Gavina, Yayoi Kusama, and Yoshitomo Nara, to name a few. It provides a glimpse of a time experienced by those who lived it—an intimate perspective. We discuss their global travel adventures collecting, explore the collection and the iterative process of creating collectibles. We consider how these three acts intersect to shape their design practice and influence their design team and clients. Their story transcends the mere act of amassing objects; it's a poignant exploration of how collecting can evoke nostalgia, rekindle memories of bygone eras, and become a powerful form of inspired storytelling through design.

The Act of Collecting

Quintessential storytellers, the duo effortlessly transport us to another time and dimension. Their youthful escapades include a memorable road trip to New York City when funds were scarce and paints a vivid picture of their stay at the iconic Chelsea Hotel. Revealing their experience of witnessing the era of Mapplethorpe and Warhol—a perspective they now share with us. This adventure down memory lane is captivating as we hear about the specially commissioned Pumpkin sculpture by Yayoi Kusama, a prize of their collection.

Their recollections exemplify the profound emotional connection that the act of collecting can elicit and how intrinsic value exists beyond the numerical and, instead, within the eyes and heart of the beholder. The duo expands on their exploration of Mexico, where we discuss their more spontaneous nature. Here, they discovered their love for Latin artists—recalling their time at the Kurimanzutto Gallery, where they purchased the works of Daniel Guzman, Chromosome Damage, Dr Lakra’s Bobo-Dako, and Wilfredo Prieto’s Las Finanzas en Pareja. Their faces beam as Glenn describes their process of collecting, "It was like Christmas!"

The Collection

For Yabu Pushelberg, their collection is not just a static assortment of objects; it's a living, evolving manifestation of their shared experiences and a celebration of the talents of extraordinary individuals. Their collection of Cindy Sherman portraits serves as another portal to the past, a wellspring of inspiration used to fuel the creative fire within their design team.

The size and composition of their collection are a testament to their discerning eye and eclectic taste. Their collection encompasses a rich juxtaposition of history, context, aesthetics, and materiality, each piece chosen with deliberate intent. We explored the different reasons for collecting that go beyond nostalgia. Their admiration for Wolfgang Tillmans speaks to a deeper connection—the intricacies of his life, politics, and sexuality are the facets that hold them in fascination. Ultimately, their collection represents a profound connection with the lived experiences of the artists.

George explores yet another layer—the area of cross-disciplinary practitioners. He illuminates the intricate similarities to the crossovers that exist within culture. In particular, mavericks who confidently excel in diverse disciplines, defying their respective silos and embracing multidisciplinary creativity, and refusing to be confined by a single definition of creative expression.

Specific items have played pivotal roles in shaping particular projects, infusing distinctive stories and characters into the spaces they create as they recall fond tales of their work on The Londoner Hotel and sadness at a cancelled Tokyo project that had promised site-specific art by Anish Kapoor. Their collection reflects their interests and creative explorations, both personally and professionally.

Collectibles

As Yabu Pushelberg adeptly bridges collecting and design, their creations metamorphose into more than mere design pieces. They become vessels of stories, transporting us through time and evoking emotions. Under their deft touch, collectibles cease to be inanimate objects; they become embodiments of eras and narratives, mirroring the cherished pieces within their collection.

So, what does it all mean? Collecting, collections and collectibles come together as an intricate dance of meaning and inspiration. George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg assign significance to objects, breathing life into them through stories, context, and history. Their placement of the works of Jim Campbell and Kapoor in their apartment manifests an intersection of collecting and design, resulting in a dynamic process that constantly fuels their creativity, pushing them to explore uncharted territories and create even more compelling works.

Their story is a reminder that collecting is not a solitary act but a journey that leaves an indelible mark on the individual, the creative process, and the world itself. It's an epic tale of design, passion, and storytelling. It explores meaning and inspiration, where the past and present converge, where aesthetics meet history, and where objects become portals through time. It is a celebration of the art of living now and back then. So, the next time you collect something, remember that you're not just accumulating things but crafting your own story that can inspire and transcend time.

Tap the cover video to watch the conversation which took place at The Londoner, a hotel designed by the duo in 2021.