Project
ELEMENTARY DESIGN
-Taking wool out
of its context-
WORKTEAM
Kristina Baloghova Hroncekova María Tamames Lubomira Abrahamova
WHAT IS THE PROJECT ABOUT?
« Elementary
design » investigates how wool can be given a new perspective
through applying innovative design concepts to basic materials, traditional
techniques or even classical folklore.
Taking
inspiration from these objects and materials the project suggests how recycling can be used as a creative and
conceptual thought process for developing new products, project initiatives and
display systems. “Elementary design” focuses on
innovation, experimentation, taking an element out of its context and creating
added value.
Four scenarios were created within the project:
Transformation. Dipping a
hand-made woolen object in porcelain clay, then firing it in a kiln transforms
the material qualities of wool into a rigid ceramic surface create a new
appearance and form.
Inspiration. Ceramic procedures for creating volumes could be adapted to textile
techniques using wool. (For example rolling wool into felted balls to be
stitched together to become a carpet or 3D object.
Recycling. Wool fibres
from old clothes mixed with resins to shape a 3D form
Interaction. Live Art Making / Interactive Art Work. An unfinished form encourages
the user to improvise and creatively complete its appearance.
TECHNIQUES:
Felting, spinning, knitting, crochet, embroidery
INSPIRATION MASTER CLASS WORKSHOPS:
Days 1 & 2
- Discovery of wools of Europe
-Marie-Therese Chaupin
Wools qualities are:
A long lasting natural fibre, resistant to static
electricity, easy to clean, high resistance to tearing, hydrophilic, fire resistant
A creative process between
inspiration, creativity and design-Jeanne Goutelle
Day 6 – Labopull
Alice Egler &
Sonja de Monchy’s creative experience and
working methodology to build a strong design concept and develop it into a
physical product helped Kristina, María and Lubomira understand a process that
gives shape and definition to a project.
Day 3 - Lainamac & Felting
Felt making, spinning and knitting are traditional
techniques that use wool.
Day 4 - Patrice Sebille & making a mattress.
It’s possible to create simple furniture and bedding
with a mattress-making technique, elementary basic tools and materials.
Day 5 Shibori
Once the basic understanding of
a technique has been acquired creative
freedom can be undertaken
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
We want to:
- Use design methodology
to develop innovative applications for wool.
-Create original and
unique items that have been inspired by the decorative details and construction
techniques of traditional objects associated with wool.
-Renew ways to process
recycled wool and woolen fibres.
- To make wool become a style of life
ADDED VALUE:
Giving
importance to the use of the material
- Innovative applications for wool as a creative and
conceptual thought process tool within art and
cultural field
-Awareness
of the endless possibilities for the wool, as a raw material or as a
source of inspiration.
-A
new generation fiber that parallels with a healthy lifestyle
REFERENCES / CONCEPTUAL APPROACH
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Rachel Griffin’s Swing Skirt is an interesting conceptual piece. She describes the project, “Equipped with ropes that can swing easily over any horizontal bar, the Swing Skirt allows for a lighthearted experience in the dreary urban landscape.
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Like the outline for cross stitch embroidery, this bowl is a support to be embroidered. Panier Percé is sold naked together with the embroidery kit of your choice. The kit contains coloured skeins, a needle, a needle threader and instructions for a decoration.
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Bowl made of clay balls |
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Carpet made of felted balls |
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Teasling |
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The artist WhiteFly casts actual vintage lace in sterling silver, then molds it into a bracelet cuff.
Kristen Wicklund's ceramics are another good example, crochet lace is dipped in porcelain prior to being fired. Firing burns the fibre leaving a shell of stunning ceramic lace.
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London-based designer Claire-Anne O’Brien accentuated the importance of turning to nature in search of a more defined and controllable way of life. Her knitted stool creations tell the story of an artistic approach to everyday objects.
Grannypendant lamp designed by Pudelskern
German designer Bastian Hoeges‘ Family of Stools is
a set of earthy creations that take inspiration from the classic tale of
Goldilocks. Hoeges‘ pieces are built from natural materials, such as wood and
wool, and when put together, the trio of seats create an enchanting aesthetic
that will meld perfectly with any home.
  
Experiment with wool fibres and epoxid. The way how to recycle the wool.
Christien Meindertsma explores the life of products and raw materials. Her designs aim to regain understanding of processes that have become so distant in industrialization.
 Diane Steverlynck follows a personal approach centred on objects and textiles. Her work focus is research on textiles, materials and structures and their influence on the use and identity of everyday objects. Characterized by their diversity, her products are simple and coherent. Behind each of her pieces, there is a story, one that involves material, people, usage and memory. |