Frederik Gustav — Paperwork
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Paperwork by Danish studio Frederik Gustav explores tectonics, illumination and screening within a system that blurs the boundaries between architecture, light and object. Surrounding an artificial light source, a series of suspended threads are grounded by small steel weights. These weights allow the parallel threads to intertwine at their base, creating a tension throughout their height that provides enough strength and stability to support a series of paper sheets. Gently holding the paper without perforation or damage, the system allows for a soft diffusion of the internal light source and provides the ability to adapt the size and composition of the piece – becoming larger or smaller based on shifting spatial conditions.
Material and dimensions:
Paper, thread, steel, light source.
Various dimensions.
Year:
2022
PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
Anders Sune Berg
VIDEOGRAPHY BY:
Benjamin Lund
LONG DESCRIPTION:
The building blocks for Paperwork began within an earlier project as Frederik Gustav explored ideas of tension and suspension. Somewhat by accident they discovered that weighted thread naturally began to spin and intertwine with one another, providing two parallel lines with the clamping ability to fasten relatively light objects, such as paper. The humble nature of the exposed system brings with it a sense of value to the everyday piece of paper, exploiting its level of opacity and textural beauty once illuminated. The ability of the system to grow allows a natural flexibility that creates a wider relationship to spatial environments. During the development of the project the duo shifted in scale from their smaller studio space to the open production hall of The Factory for Art and Design on the island of Amager. The fact that the final installation sits within these two extremes of scale highlights the ability of Paperwork to be utilised as a method of constructing spatial installations that can be continuously reshaped, modified and scaled. Working with simple, everyday materials, the thin construction creates a weightlessness to the overall composition – eliciting a sense of wonder and intrigue within the audience as they interact with the piece.
DESIGNER BIO:
Frederik Gustav
Frederik Weber Designer, born 1992.
Gustav Dupont Designer, born 1992.
The work of Copenhagen based design duo Frederik Gustav shifts across various functions, scales and contexts to create objects and installations that merge design, architecture and art. Focusing on the joy and excitement experienced through experimentation into building and construction techniques, their work transfers these emotions to the user through sensory objects that play with function, composition and materiality. The duo’s own curiosity towards materials such as wood is evident through exposed structures that retain and highlight the techniques that produce them. They utilise craftsmanship as an expression of narrative, illuminating stories centered around context of place, societal tendencies or notions of beauty. The process of each project assists in initiating the next, creating a strong structural and aesthetic language across their body of work. Operating from their workshop on the island of Amager, their practice is made up of Frederik Weber and Gustav Dupont.
EDUCATION:
2020: MA, Spatial Design, Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2018: BA, Furniture Design, Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
GRANTS AND HONOURS:
2022: Working Grant, The Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2021: Working Grant, The Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2019: Grete Jalk Scholarship, Design Awards, Royal Danish Academy, Denmark.
2017: Education / Travel Grant, Træfonden, Denmark.
2017: Education Grant, Svendborg Municipality, Denmark.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2022: The Cabinetmakers’ Autumn Exhibition, The Factory for Art and Design, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2022: I am still in the game, The Factory for Art and Design, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2022: The Magic of Form, Design Museum Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021: The Cabinetmakers’ Autumn Exhibition, Sophienholm, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
2021: The Biennale for Craft and Design, Koldinghus, Kolding, Denmark.
2020: Traces of Time, Royal Danish Academy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Selected Commissions
2022: Trophy, Palmes Tennis Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021: Bank, Cafe Connie Connie, Copenhagen Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021: Exhibition Design, Perspectives, Ukurant, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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