Material x

In this project we were to choose a material and explores its inherent qualities. I chose to work with wood and worked mainly with ash and pine. Further I explored bending wood, natural dyes, and surface treatments such as sandblasting, brushing, and burning could transform the material. Sandblasting revealed striking effects and the pine developed a soft, dune like surface, while ash gained a light, porous texture. I also experimented with natural dyes like turmeric, beetroot, and red cabbage, enhancing the grain structure while maintaining the material’s organic character.

Through these material studies I became particularly interested in how light interacts with wood, as ash produced a lively and translucent effect. The material exploration was going to end in a physical product, and I was inspired to make a lamp screen. It was an aesthetic experiment, making use of limited resources and even testing how softened wood could be stitched together after soaking. The final outcome combines craftsmanship, sustainability, and experimentation, highlighting wood’s potential to balance functionality with poetic expression.

autumn 2023
module: material x
project duration: four weeks