Germinating like coral or fungi, Sangmin Oh‘s biologically inspired lighting designs and furniture combine form and function. The designer, based between the Netherlands and South Korea, is (formerly) fascinated by the interplay of material, aesthetics and sustainability.
Oh’s sculptural pieces revolve around the use of textiles to create knitted or woven lampshades for lamps and other objects. In a new project entitled SOIL TO SOULhe and a team of studio assistants put together an installation with aramid yarn from the Heracron brand: a type of lightweight and strong polymer fiber that is resistant to the effects of heat, abrasion and chemicals.
Aramid yarn is often used in body armor, heat protective clothing and as a covering for optical cables. Using scraps of material discarded by the manufacturer, Oh turns to 3D knitting technology to reimagine colorful, textured fabric pieces.
“The functional story of Heracron ties in with that of the mushroom, which protects and maintains the earth,” says Oh about the works in SOIL TO SOUL. “The hair-like strands reflect the strand of mycelial threads. Inspired by this similarity, the shape and pattern of the knitted fabric are designed to reflect these qualities.”
Oh’s work is currently on view in Seoul at RE;CODE, an upcycling brand, where pieces like an expansive, fungus-inspired floor lamp form the illuminated window installation. See more on his website And Instagram.
