Aesthetics of Wood Shaping is the name of the exhibition of designer wooden furniture and various products made of this natural material. This juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s (Croatian Association of Fine Artists of Applied Arts) section for product design took place in ULUPUH Gallery in Zagreb, Croatia. Have a look at products made of wood – designed by renowned product designers as well as up-and-coming designers – graduate students of wood design.
Aesthetics of Wood Shaping
“Shaped by the joint action of space and time, wood in its structure contains the unique story of the conditions in which grows each individual tree. A pattern emerges under the bark created by fibers, and every type of wood has its own aesthetics. The warm natural material that’s easy to work with is often extremely strong. Beauty and characteristics inspire the creation of functional products.
Croatia abounds in these precious sources of raw materials, and thanks to this abundance, the tradition of creation in wood is long. And despite the continuous appearance of new materials, the appeal of this natural material lasts, and remains an indispensable element of probably every living space, suggesting the presence of nature.
The aesthetics and functionality of wood were also applied by the presented exhibitors, relying on a quality foundation formed by years of experience, but also looking for the New, looking for and emphasizing beauty in both lines and surfaces. The sculptural character of the material comes to the fore especially in smaller utility items, with a well-measured minimalism that follows the function, while highlighting the visual quality of the raw material, following the form and/or structure. They showed their deep understanding by articulating all kinds of art elements.
Just like in nature, lines flow and branch, round off functional units in statically demanding chairs, dominant surfaces are the basis of each table, like a canvas that accepts contents, with its own discrete or less discrete aesthetics. Independent surfaces enrich the space with mobiles, or they are completely thinning, or curving, hugging the space, and letting the light through. Smaller objects call for the tactile. Understanding and respecting the material in addition to one’s own handwriting is definitely a common element for all authors.
The aesthetics of wood shaping is represented by designers who have demonstrated quality in the profession and proven it on the market, which is really not an easy task. Along with experienced professionals from Croatia, we are also joined by guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina, renowned designers, with whom we share the availability of resources. In this case, wood reveals true masters.
In addition to already established designers, students from the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology of the University of Zagreb are also presenting themselves, showing their own interpretation of the raw material.
It is a combination of authors that points to complexity and interdisciplinarity as an incentive for the development of work with material that has long been interesting, physically durable, inspiring, and needed in the future as well.” Ksenija Foretić, Curator of the Exhibition “Aesthetics of Wood Shaping”
Exhibitors – Renowned Product Designers and Up-and-Coming Designers
Professional Designers
Ana Armano Linta
Ado Avdagić
Mario Dobrečević
Jana Franušić
Ada Kezić
Juraj Krstinić
Lidija Mikluš
Nataša Perković
Sanja Rotter
Jadranka Soviček Krpan
Young Designers
Students of the First Year of Graduate Studies – Product Design from Wood, Wood Technology Department, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb:
Ivan Bojčić
Tomislav Grabić
Karlo Jedvaj
Slađana Josipović
Mihael Kirić
Nino Klarić
Bernard Lamot
Nikola Lukež
Mihaela Vuzem
Associate Professor Ph.D. Danijela Domljan, Mentor
Exhibits – Designer Wooden Furniture and Various Products
Professional Designers
Ana Armano Linta
Ab Ovo – Club Tables
Self-Initiated Work
Photo: Ana Armano Linta
Ado Avdagić
Primum Chair Mesh
Manufacturer: Aptha Furniture (brand GoEs)
Photo: Haris Adžem
Ada Kezić
Quatrefoil Set of Club Tables
Manufacturer: ERA group
Photo: Dražen Lapić
Related Article – The Charms of Wood, Rattan, and Bamboo Furniture
Ada Kezić
Barr – Bar Stool
Manufacturer: ERA group
Photo: Dražen Lapić
Ada Kezić
Lapillis Candlestick Set (also in the cover photo)
Manufacturer: A1 FORMAT
Photo: Ada Kezić
Lidija Mikluš
Tabushi – Club Table
Self-Initiated work
Photo: Otokar Crnalić
Related Article – Croatian Story of Design, Architecture, Construction, Living, and Production – ambienta
Nataša Perković
Elle Chair & Elle Chair Armrest
Manufacturer: Aptha Furniture
(brand GoEs)
Photo: Haris Adžem
Sanja Rotter
Sweet Sputnik – Light Fixture
Self-Initiated Work
Photo: Sanja Rotter and Petra Slobodnja
Jadranka Soviček Krpan
Professor Baltazar – Toy
Self-Initiated Work
Photo: Jadranka Soviček Krpan
Young Designers
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Department of Wood Technology
Project WEECHEE / TREESTOL, SMART TABLES
Mentor and Project Manager: Associate Professor Ph.D. Danijela Domljan
Students in the 1st Year of Graduate Studies – Design of Wood Products:
Karlo Jedvaj
String – the Prototype of the Smart Desk
Manufacturer: Twin
Photo: Karlo Jedvaj
Mentor: Associate Professor Ph.D. Danijela Domljan
Nino Klaric
Loop – the Prototype of the Club Table
Manufacturer: Twin
Photo: Nino Klarić
Mentor: Associate Professor Ph.D. Danijela Domljan
Bernard Lamot
Quercus Veruche – the Prototype of the Console Table
Manufacturer: Twin
Photo: Bernard Lamot
Mentor: Associate Professor Ph.D. Danijela Domljan
Nikola Lukež
CoMet – the Prototype of the Hanging Table
Manufacturer: Twin
Photo: Nikola Lukež
Mentor: Associate Professor Ph.D. Danijela Domljan
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