For Milan Design week 2016, London-based, Israeli-born designers Raw Edges collaborated with 5VIE Art + Design to create “Herringbones,” an unusual and eye-catching exploration of wood, colored dye, and herringbone motifs, all while putting visitors in the driver’s seat of design. Visitors were invited to dye pine planks by dipping them in buckets of colored dye, and then arrange them into beautiful patterns in a group design experience.
The process behind these striking pieces of “Herringbone” furniture is simple: submerge untreated pine planks into vats of colored dye at a 45-degree angle (guided by the sloped side of the container) then flip the plank before continuing with a different color to create an alternating herringbone pattern.
After hanging to dry, the planks can be assembled into a variety of different shapes to create tables, chairs, and benches, all of which invoke textures and patterns more commonly seen in the world of weaving and textiles. Up close however, the distinct grains and textures of the wood remain visible, creating a unique symbiosis between the natural and the man-made.
Related: Raw Edges Creates a Relaxing “Pond” From Recycled Pallets and Computer Screens
Visitors were invited to play and explore in this interactive installation, through the creation of collaborative designs. This experiment is a continuation of End Grain, Raw Edge’s dye-soaking project, and will be on show from April 12 to April 17 at Spazio Sanremo in the 5VIE district of Milan.
+ Raw Edges + 5VIE Art + Design + Milan Design Week
Images via Maria Novozhilova for Inhabitat
