CRAFTED POTENTIAL
Commission Fogia Collection & Olsson&Gerthel
2023
Crafted Potential is showcasing the search for various methods and approaches that could have the ability to reintroduce residual materials into the manufacturing process of furniture design.
An exhibition arranged by Olsson & Gerthel who selected Kajsa Willner as a designer to collaborate with invited furniture manufacturer Fogia.
The concept and items brought forward by Willner for the exhibition Crafted Potential are showcasing the search for various methods and approaches that could have the ability to reintroduce residual materials into the manufacturing process of furniture design.
Willner has examined the potential of how to refine waste through various approaches such as Material development, Upcycling, Craft techniques, Collaboration and Implementation.
The project started with a joint mapping of Fogia's residual material streams after a visit to the company's factory in Poland to gain a better understanding of the materials' complete lifecycle. From there, Willner explored the tactile, functional, and aesthetic possibilities of these materials through small- and large-scale case studies. All designs in the exhibition are made out of waste like wood scraps in various types and sizes, sawdust, textile fiber and leather, all part of big waste streams from Fogias manufacturing process. Part of the design collection brought forward for the exhibition are handmade compositions of upcycled wood in the form of four vases, a table and an armchair. A material development of “Fiber“ lamps, a series of wall lighting sculptures featuring shades made of recycled Nature loft, a textile fiber from Fogias manufacturing process, produced by Willner using traditional paper-making techniques. Included in the collection is also a pair of crafted wet molded leather vases. Further are material samples containing a mix of sawdust and bone glue, which is a residual product from the slaughter industry. Last but not least there are prototypes of a low table and pedestal designed by Willner and produced by Fogia using finger joint waste pine wood.
"Crafted Potential" is an exhibition that celebrates all the opportunities with looking at waste as an untapped material resource. And how different methods can inspire to implement systems where residual materials can achieve their full potential.
Some questions that have been part of the narrative throughout the whole process are:
● What kind of system approach is needed for scaling-up upcycling on a global level?
● What kind of regulations and end of waste criterias are needed to be set in place when developing new materials?
● Can craft techniques and processes influence new production systems that are less rigid and more liquid, scalable, productive and sustainable?
● How do we foster a stronger collaborative culture within the design industry to find more holistic perspectives and encourage future progress that goes beyond the product?
● How can iterative processes like the design process be implemented on a structural level to help manufacturing companies improve their ways of working and speed up sustainability transformations?
The exhibition is questioning and exploring a diversity of concepts for residual materials to re-enter the manufacturing process where Willner's work proposes a more liquid and scalable production model for future furniture manufacturers, where some products are produced in small scale, others in middle scale and some in mass production.
PHOTO CREDITS
Robert Våhlström
Exhibitions
Southern Sweden design days, Olsson & Gerthel
Stockholm design week, Fogia Concept Store
PARTNERS
Olsson & Gerhtel, Fogia Collection, Studio Kajsa Willner
EXHIBITION ARCHITECTURE & GRAPHIC DESIGN
Kajsa Willner
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Mattias and all staff at Olsson&Gerthel for the initiative and help with the process and exhibition as well as Jonas from Fogia.