Natural Material Studio — Lighting Works, LW-B004-1-3
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Highlighting the ability of Natural Material Studio’s own bio-textiles to diffuse and spread light, a collection of three lighting objects – LW-B004-1-3, utilise tension and suspension to create sculptural works that balance organic textures with simple forms. Created from a mixture of bio- polymers, natural softeners and chalk, natural variations – rich streaks, bubbles and shifts in transparency – are instilled throughout a production process that oscillates between human and natural agency as the material sets and forms. The three lighting objects shift between scale and methods of construction, utilising a single technique in steel sheet bending across all works that demonstrates varying degrees of control and tension – the slender steel frame creates form yet allows the bio-textiles to operate freely within set parameters.
Material and dimensions:
LW-B004-1. Hanging.
Bio-polymer, natural softeners, chalk, steel, LED.
180 x 180 x 15cm
LW-B004-2. Hanging.
Bio-polymer, natural softeners, chalk, steel, LED.
100 x 150 x 20cm
LW-B004-3. Standing.
Bio-polymer, natural softeners, chalk, steel, LED.
50 x 60 x 20cm
Year:
2023
PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
Anders Sune Berg
VIDEOGRAPHY BY:
Benjamin Lund
LONG DESCRIPTION:
LW-B004-1-3 forms the fourth iteration in an ongoing investigation into light as an additional design element within the production and display of bio-materials by Natural Material Studio. Led by creative director Bonnie Hvillum, the studio has utilised their bio-textiles within a number of spatial installations and commissions, noting the unique semi-transparent qualities and the visual depth produced when combined with both natural and artificial illumination. Rather than setting out with a goal to produce traditional methods of lighting, the collection instead focuses on sculptural objects that play with positive attributes of the bio-textiles, but also its limitations. Within these three objects the strength and malleability of the material has been pushed to its limits, stretched and suspended over simple steel structures. Combined with cool-toned LED illumination, the three lighting works continue investigations by Natural Material Studio into the forming of objects that balance natural and human agency – opening new understandings towards the ambiguous boundary point between art and design, along with creating new methods that promote a more fluid creative tradition alongside natures own processes.
DESIGNER BIO:
Natural Material Studio
Bonnie Hvillum
Creative Director, born 1988.
From her studio and workshop within the small heritage village of Tømmerup to the south of Copenhagen, creative director Bonnie Hvillum has transformed years of immersive material and interaction research into Natural Material Studio. Leading a small and dedicated team, the output of Natural Material Studio aims to expand the collective understanding of material conceptions through artistic design and spatial installations. Collaborations and commissions allow the studio to work cross-disciplinary and systemically, turning research orientated processes into works and exhibitions that explore phenomenological and speculative themes in relation to materials, cultural norms, nature and potential futures. Their work revolves around the principles of circular design – reuse, recycle, renew and rethink. Through a material-led approach centred around the properties and qualities of often discarded or under-utilised natural resources, Natural Material Studio explore material limitations and opportunities in order to create novel design solutions that contain a highly artistic voice.
EDUCATION:
2019: Material Design, Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering, Barcelona, Spain.
2017: MA, Interaction Design, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
2016: Masterclass, Systemic Philosophy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
GRANTS AND HONOURS:
2023: Working Grant, The Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2023: Working Grant, The Danish Anniversary Foundation, Denmark. 2022: Research Grant, The Danish Environmental Ministry, Denmark.
2022: Research Grant, Dreyers Foundation, Denmark.
2021: Working Grant, The Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2021: Working Grant, The Danish Anniversary Foundation, Denmark. 2020: Working Grant, The Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2020: Working Grant, Susanne Rogers Foundation, Canada.
EXHIBITIONS:
2023: Solo Exhibition, HUMAN NATURE, Copenhagen Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2023: Group Exhibition, Reset Materials, Copenhagen Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2023: Solo Exhibition, Alcova, Milan Design Week, Milan, Italy.
2022: Group Exhibition, The Future is Present, Design Museum Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021: Group Exhibition, Danish Predictions, Adorno Gallery, NYC x Design, New York, USA.
2020: Group Exhibition, Ukurant, Copenhagen, Denmark.
COMISSIONS:
2023: Restaurant Noma.
2023: Gehl Architects.
2023: House of Grey.
2022: Calvin Klein.
2022: Design Museum Denmark.
2021: Frama.
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