‘Resilience’ concrete and wool tables – Design Miami/Basel 2008
designed for the ‘Designers of the Future Award’ exhibition
The ‘Resilience’ concrete and wool tables on display
My response to the concrete and wool brief set by Design Miami/Basel is based on research into manmade structures that are exposed to the elements, re-conquered by nature and demolished by humans as well as the effects of natural disasters on the built environment.
The concrete and wool objects on show play with a role reversal of qualities we associate with manmade and natural materials. Concrete, which is normally considered a structural and long-lasting material, is cast in two-dimensional forms onto a woven wool backing. Then, in a design process that harnesses destructive force and the ‘undesirable’ effects of decay as a creative tool, the concrete shapes are broken up. Held together by wool, normally deemed the weaker material of the two, the fragmented forms are then reconfigured into three-dimensional shapes and fixed. This process allows the creation of a wide range of unique objects based on shapes cast in a single mould.
A view of my section of the ‘Designers of the Future Award’ display
The high ‘Resilience’ table
The low ‘Resilience’ table
For further information please visit: www.designmiami.com
© Julia Lohmann 2008