Love is all around us. It can even be found in the form of “love locks” that have been secured to bridges around the world by couples as a declaration of their commitment. (And subsequently removed for adding too much weight to the structures.) The 4E coffee table – designed by Adrián M. Almonacid, founder of his Valencia-based creative practice Cuatro Cuatros – takes the idea of affection, a binding force that unites us together in myriad ways, and elevates it into a unique contemporary visual love language. The object’s concept grabs hold of the meaningful love lock symbolism – each one representing a story, a special moment, or eternal dedication – and brings them home to a life indoors.
Cuatro Cuatros took a deep dive into the history of love locks, discovering their origins as far back as ancient Chinese customs. The research into public displays of affection provided the concept table’s strong foundation – unity. Further research into materials and production methods ensures that 4E’s craftsmanship and functionality meet the same standards as its conveyance of emotion and physical connection.
The table’s transparency highlights its only connection points with zero visual inhibitors, as each panel is joined to the next by a lone padlock. The tempered glass invites us into the heart of 4E, where the symbolic locks visually float, encouraging viewers to rethink the different types of love we experience throughout life. A visual and physical representation of the emotion’s power and its sometimes silent language presented in the form of a coffee table.
In March 2024, the coffee table concept was included as part of the CURATED section of the international COLLECTIBLE design fair in Brussels. 4E will also be part of the collective exhibition “A public display of affection,” curated by Rawad Baaklini.
Adrián M. Almonacid
To learn more about the 4E coffee table, visit cuatrocuatros.com.
