'torus' by claesson koivisto rune, produced by dfts factory
image © designboom


swedish design trio claesson koivisto rune holds a deep respect for the handicraft of their native culture,
blending these traditions with cutting edge techniques in the industry. this is exhibited through 'torus',
a women's bracelet they designed that is produced by dfts factory.

it takes approximately four hours to produce one bracelet, which is built from 2208 individual loose 3D printed nylon plastic parts. 
the precision distances between the links result in a final object that is soft, and can almost be described
as having the feel of a textile fabric. with 'torus', claesson koivisto rune have pushed the boundaries for what is possible
with the selective laser sintering (SLS) manufacturing technique. the additive process uses a high power laser to fuse
small particles of plastic, metal, ceramic or glass powders into a mass that has a desired 3-dimensional shape.
in the case of 'torus' the laser selectively melds powdered nylon material by scanning cross-sections generated from a
3D digital description of the part (for example from a CAD file) on the surface of a powder bed. after each cross-section is scanned,
the powder bed is lowered by one layer, whereby a new layer of material is applied on top. the process is repeated until the part is completed.
'torus' is a bracelet that shows the infiltration of architectural construction translated into fashion and vice versa.

'through modern 3d manufacturing and selective laser sintering (sls), new shapes are possible. shapes that cannot be made either
by conventional machines or traditional handicraft. torus is such a shape. the torus can be described as a surface of revolution
generated by revolving a circle in three dimensional space about an axis coplanar with the circle. it is now also the name of a bracelet.'
- claesson koivisto rune



'torus'  color variations
image © designboom




the 'torus' bracelet was on display at the dfts factory presentation during stockholm design week 2012
image © designboom


the 'torus' bracelet is available in various colors



eero koivisto of claesson koivisto rune
portrait © designboom



eero koivisto speaks to designboom about 'torus'
video © designboom

'ondule' by mattis esnault 
image © mattis esnault 


french designer mattis ensault has completed a prototype of 'ondule', a lounge seat which is a visual translation of digital sound
as the undulating texture represents waves and frequency. the textile is pulled over a solid base and attached along a predefined weft.
eventually, the three dimensional fabric is to become a slip cover, allowing the user to attach it to a variety of surfaces.
the project was financed by VIA (enhancement of innovation in furniture).



the project is a visual reflection on digital technology and sound
image © mattis esnault 



the undulating textile is being explored as a slipcover 
image © mattis esnault 



detail image
image © mattis esnault 

louis vuitton's 'infintely kusama' web-site dedicated to the artist and upcoming collection


parisian fashion house louis vuitton's latest artistic collaborator is 82-year-old japanese multimedia artist yayoi kusama.
considered one of the most significant and influential artists working today, known most notably for her obsession with polka dots,
which she has applied to a variety of mediums, kusama will present a limited edition collection of louis vuitton products including leather goods,
ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, watches and jewelry set for debut in july 2012 under the name 'infinitely kusama'.



kusama’s 'obliteration room' at queensland art gallery

currently on show at queensland art gallery in brisbane, is 'look now see forever', a major retrospective of the artist which features a highly interactive work,
'the obliteration room', on show now until march 11th, 2012.

kusama’s 'infinity mirror room', a large scale mirrored installation was part of her solo exhibition 'floor show' at the castellane gallery, new york, 1965

january 9 has been the last day of a centre pompidou retrospective in paris, which went on view at the tate modern
in london (from february 9 to june 5).
finally the show will head to the whitney in new york, where it will remain from july 12 to september 30.





yayoi kusama

this isn't the first time LV's creative director marc jacobs has worked with big-name artists.
since his start at the brand in 1997 he teamed up with stephen sprouse (2001 to 2009, takashi murakami (2003 and latest)
and richard prince (2008 - they also wrapped the hong kong museum of art for a special exhibition).
kusama is a celebrated feminist and is the first female artist to collaborate on a line of products for louis vuitton,
mainly targeted for the japanese market. 



yayoi kusama
'pumpkin', 2000
15.8 x 22.7 cm
acrylic on canvas

the craft of papier-mâché is applied to iconic furniture forms and lighting pieces, paper collection displayed at the groninger museum
image © robert kot

dutch manufacturer moooi has updated the paper furniture collection based on the craft of papier-mâché by studio job.
job smeets (1970) and nynke tynagel (1977) are known for their virtuoso handling of extraordinary materials and extreme techniques,
together they create archetypical and monumental objects which are an expressive engagement at the interface of art and design.
in collaboration with moooi the designers have experimented the industrial process of papier-mâché for the first time with the paper
chandelier project in 2005. layers of paper and glue have been applied to honeycomb cardboard, drying into a solid composition and thus
redeveloping traditional construction methods.

the paper chandelier L
made of paper, cardboard and honeycomb panels, glass diffuser on each arm

the paper collection currently offers two sizes of hanging lamps
- the chandelier XXL (225 cm /88.6" diam. and 275 cm/108.3" height),
and
- the chandelier L (90 cm/ 35.4" diam. and 101.5 cm/ 40 " height).
during milan design week 2012 moooi will present a new size of the paper chandelier
- 'the paper XL' .

'studio job's paper chandelier - I love this object because there is a new modernity, postminimalism without a postmodern spirit.'
karl lagerfeld


sketch by studio job



the paper furniture collection by moooi, classic furniture forms are redeveloped with an unusual material choice, on show at the groninger museum
image courtesy moooi

'studio job & the groninger museum' is an exhibition at the groninger museum (in groningen, the netherlands), currently on show until
march 2012. the museum has been following the work of studio job job since the foundation of the practice and possesses the largest
collection of their products, compiled and curated by mark wilson for this exhibition. the paper furniture series is a central part of the show.

paper wardrobe
image collage by designboom

designboom loves the paper wardrobe, which was first presented during the milan design week in 2009.
it has an imposing structure of durable material -- hard to believe it’s made of paper.
the simple aesthetics remind us of a playmobil miniature toy. shipped flat packed, the wardrobe is easy to assemble.
each component slots into the other which enables one part to bare it's weight and share its strength with the other.
there are no screws, no nuts and no bolts. it has a shelf and a brass clothes rail to hang garments and does not have any handles.
available in white colour and for indoor use only.  

how to assemble the paper wardrobe by studio job
image collage by designboom

 

designboom builds a paper wardrobe, detail of the paper layers
images © designboom

we invested more time in opening the perfect packaging than in the process of construction. it took us only 1 hour !

'bloom skin' by WOW for issey miyake
all images courtesy WOW


japanese visual design WOW has created 'bloom skin', a window installation for issey miyake's
2012 spring/summer collection of ELTTOB TEP. minimalist in concept and execution, the kinetic piece
consists of eight computer-controlled fans that rhythmically  manipulate a single piece of hovering fabric.

linearly situated to run parallel to the front windows, the installation seeks to be an eye-catching 'sculpture'
that effectively communicates the identity of the new collection. the translucent stretch of textile is 'organdy',
an ultra light fabric that is used throughout the pieces. simple and effortless, 'bloom skin' offers a dramatic
and ever-changing backdrop to the shop.






overall view






detail



computer-controlled fans



view from window



store front