Capriccio
Fractions
An ever-evolving collection of sensually burnt wood objects. Each piece is an individual response to the shape and structure of a given off-cut. With alterations to the raw material kept to the bare minimum, the chosen function is given by punctual joinery and tactility is enhanced by fire.
Yakisugi (Japanese: Burnt cypress) has for centuries been used in architecture to preserve and accentuate wood. In this case, the erosive qualities of fire are used to intentionally soften certain sharp edges whilst still preserving others.
“Fractions” refers to the quantity of material which is traditionally left behind at each step of the process in getting wood from its raw form as a tree to a final product. An average of 20 to 50% off-cut is common in small and medium carpentry shops, be it from trimming back the ends at the sawmill or planning, cutting, etc.
The larger off-cuts often contain bigger knots or splits which occur when the wood moves and contracts as it dries. These have inspired the typology of those objects as well as their form, utilising and highlighting the "imperfection".
The off-cut used for the trays was planned square and then split along the existing crack, leaving the wood to choose its own path. The feet balance both fractions to become once again two horizontal surfaces.
In the case of the candle holders, the large knot was not cut out but rather cut in two, becoming the base and defining feature of both objects. The perpendicular section or foot is slotted in to highlight as well as compensate for the missing material.
Georg is a Swiss designer, with a Bachelor in Product Design from Central Saint Martins and a Master in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship from ECAL. His practice now focuses the re-use of surplus materials or discarded resources and objects, employing sometimes unusual techniques to transform them into new purpose.
He cross-references processes from industry and crafts, be it digital-manufacturing, construction industry or traditional techniques.