Sara Martinsen — Red Oak Circuit
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Red Oak Circuit by Danish designer Sara Martinsen expresses the inherent qualities of the underutilised wood species through a sculptural free-standing object. Radiating through the repetition of small rectangular pieces of off-cut red oak, the object displays both the cross grain and end grain of the timber through an interplay of perpendicular forms elegantly combined within a singular circular shape. By displaying the unique porous quality of the red oak’s end grain and beauty of its cross grain, the work raises awareness of the over-consumption of European white oak, presenting American red oak as a worthy alternative.
Made in collaboration with American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and Brdr. Krüger.
Material and dimensions:
American red oak.
65 x 65 x 18cm.
Year:
2022
PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
Anders Sune Berg
VIDEOGRAPHY BY:
Benjamin Lund
LONG DESCRIPTION:
Red Oak Circuit is part of a continuing exploration into the traits of various natural materials through a combination of theoretical knowledge building and a hands-on approach to form. Whilst investigating the over-reliance on European white oak within the furniture and interior industry, Martinsen spotted the potential in American red oak species that share the aesthetic qualities and strength of the former. The two timbers differ through the open end grain of the red oak and closed end grain of the white oak – making red oak lighter and providing the ability for air and smoke to pass through its core. Mathematically precise yet aesthetically minimal, Red Oak Circuit expresses these characteristics through the repeated shift in end and cross grain sections of wood. Using off-cut rectangular pieces of red oak, the final form aims to highlight the relevance and beauty of unused material. The sculptural form encourages the user to touch, look and smell the piece, promoting awareness of its qualities through an architectural composition of balanced and well-proportioned shapes coming together in mathematical harmony.
Made in collaboration with American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and Brdr. Krüger.
DESIGNER BIO:
Sara Martinsen
Designer, born 1979.
Each new creation by Danish designer Sara Martinsen begins with an exploration into the inherent qualities of the natural materials that form them. Endeavouring to tell new stories with centuries old materials, her design language is developed through detailed experiments performed within her Copenhagen studio – along the way gaining knowledge of each materials strength, weakness and visual expression. Solid wood, veneer, plants and plant fibres are weaved, layered and arranged through visually strong and intriguing compositions. From small free-standing objects, to large wall and ceiling hung formations, she creates pieces that exist within a larger architectural context – championing the increased inclusion of natural materials within our everyday lives. Combining hands-on experiments with theoretical knowledge based in natural science, craft history, evolution and more, her work is given space to degrade as it ages – further expressing the values embedded within each material.
EDUCATION:
2007: MA, Furniture, Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
GRANTS AND HONOURS:
2022: Working Grant, Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2022: Working Grant, Dreyers Foundation, Denmark.
2021: Project Grant, Boligfonden Kuben, Denmark.
2019: Project Grant, Denmark’s Nationalbanks Jubilæumsfond of 1968, Denmark.
2019: Project Grant, Beckett Foundation, Denmark.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2022: ELEMENT_ÆRE, Solo Exhibition, Norske Hus, Sophienholm Kunsthal, Lyngby, Denmark.
2022: AHEC and Brdr. Krüger, The Home of Hans Bølling, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021: Brødbasket, Group Exhibition, Udstillingssted For Tekstil, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2020: Phytophilia, the love of plants, Solo Exhibition, A. Petersen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2019: Is This Color, Group Exhibition, Kontempo, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2019: Axis Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.
2019: Kinfolk Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Selected Commissions:
2022: Restaurang Äng, Tvååker, Sweden.
2022: AHEC, 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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