NORMAL OBJECTS CLEAR LA
Jeremiah Baker’s small batch production-themed digital marketplace pivots offline in Los Angeles with a curated speakeasy shop-up exhibition showcasing elevated objects designed by global creatives.
Images via Jeremiah Baker, Alexandre Souêtre and Sailor (Delich) Dorgan
Jeremiah Baker believes that people would benefit from adapting to a slower pace. The Miami native and Los Angeles-based Founder and Creative Director of NORMAL OBJECTS (NO) – a marketplace for shoppers to discover and support a diverse global community of emerging creatives – is quietly yet effectively enticing consumers of the increasingly popular minimalist lifestyle to step into elevated everyday moments by stepping out of the fast life. NO’s self-proclaimed M.O. is responsible small batch production, not making a lot of stuff just to sell a lot of stuff. It was with that premise in mind that Baker conceptualized launched NO and subsequently Clear LA, a community gathering showcasing rare objects crafted by select artists, designers and collaborators from around the world.
Situated in an inconspicuous industrial space located in the bustling Arts District near downtown Los Angeles, Clear LA drew an engaging, eclectic and curious stream of visitors to its brief yet impactful inaugural showing during the early fall of 2022. The weeklong speakeasy “shop-up” exhibition served as a bridge between a curated set of exhibitors – most of whom exist remotely or exclusively online – and people in Los Angeles who were afforded the unique opportunity to experience it in person. “All the vibes of a premiere art exhibition, balanced with a beautiful presentation of more accessible goods also for purchase,” Baker said in describing the atmosphere of Clear LA. By separating the physical spaces in which items on display and items available for purchase were visible to visitors, Baker’s intention was executed masterfully.
Although the mission of Clear LA seems undeniably pronounced, a bit of background around the ways in which Baker’s career path, takeaways and beliefs shaped his focus and perspective offers useful context. Equipped with a background in industrial design, he spent years in Big Tech, working with several leading companies including Google, Logitech, Panasonic and Samsung prior to founding NO. While this experience provided Baker a firsthand glimpse of large scale product innovation, design and development, it also resulted in frustration and disappointment. “I became disenchanted with mass overproduction, what it says about humanity and how it frames value,” he reflected. “So much creativity goes into these devices that ultimately end up in a landfill from year to year – it all felt too wasteful.”
The realization that Baker’s fundamental philosophy didn’t align with those of the organizations he worked with was a significant catalyst for contemplation Often feeling like a fish out of water in Big Tech conference rooms, Baker decided it was time to pivot. As a visually inclined, environmentally conscious and solution-oriented designer, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, and did so with clarity and purpose. “NO was an opportunity for my natural inclinations to align with my passion for people and creating legacy, not waste,” Baker explained. “With NO, I’ve established a more considered approach to production, collaboration and objects. Each object is special, aligned with like-minded creatives from all walks of life to offer products that enrich life’s everyday moments.”
In six short years of existence, NO has differentiated itself from traditional online retail boutiques by closely adhering to principles, standards and methods that appeal to Baker’s target audience. The ability to find, learn about and purchase objects from his select group of creatives frequently resonates with people who seek a stark departure from widely accepted processes and systems. “We offer artisanal yet accessible objects made by individuals who really care,” Baker said of the products and people that comprise the NO marketplace. “Being intentional and introducing delight through functionality are a red thread through all of our experiences. We remain keen on presenting ‘minimal’ in unexpected ways,” he continued. “I value access, fluid creativity and transparency when coming together to redefine the narrative of everyday living through objects. Normal Objects showcases the transformative power of cultivating mindful actions and being impartial and authentic. We strive for the right balance of utility and aesthetics in our projects,” Baker expounded.
The ethereal experience NO bestows upon its digital community and consumers was poised for an offline extension; one that could be visualized, assessed and appreciated in a corresponding physical space. Enter Clear LA. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel post-pandemic was the impetus behind Baker’s decision to expand the channels through which one could become familiar with NO. “We got tired of existing only online,” he explained. “A presence online isn’t touched. Our objects are tactile and evoke a different sensation when experienced in real life. After two years of digital isolation and Los Angeles really opening back up, we wanted to return to our roots.”
NO has embraced the minimal movement beyond production method. Aesthetically, its online marketplace and Clear LA’s physical exhibit demonstrate a commitment to enhancing visibility for stripped down objects that rely on shape, proportion and size. “A minimal approach is foundational,” Baker said. “It means decisions are more considered, and actions are more deliberate.” By delivering a curated platform for consumers who have adopted the ‘less is more’ lifestyle, he is advancing informed, ethical and responsible consumption through media and community. The Clear LA component of NO’s platform featured works by 18 creatives whose contributions propose a simple take on everyday homeware including espresso cups, glasses, tableware, furniture, books and more. Each object effortlessly projected understated elegance and implied a reduced emphasis on material and color inclusion.
Clear LA was an immersive encounter with the ethos and visual arrangement of its web based shop. As Baker continues to utilize both channels of his platform to execute NO’s mission, his penchant for facilitating alternative production and consumption methods and providing visibility to his collaborators and peers within the global creative community will further underscore the authenticity that lies at the core of his belief system.
Discover Normal Objects at https://normalobjects.com
