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2018

  • Work on this object began.

2019

2024

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Department of Seaweed: Living Archive, 2018-ongoing

It was designed by Julia Lohmann, Violaine Buet and Jon Lister. It is dated 2018-ongoing. Its medium is mask, sculpture, knit top, woven textile, seaweed samples, vessels, video. It is a part of the department.

Julia Lohmann founded the Department of Seaweed in 2013, which brings together experts in design, science, and craft to experiment with the fabrication processes and material properties of seaweed. For the mask and sculpture, Lohmann stretched seaweed and combined it with rattan and aluminum rings for structural support. The woven textile and knit top by designer Violaine Buet demonstrate knitting and fringe techniques on sugar kelp. The process samples on the table show further experiments with seaweed such as lamination, pleating, gold-plating, laser cutting, dying, or embroidery, as well as combinations of seaweed with mohair, cotton thread or lurex yarn. The Department of Seaweed elevates the humble material to reshape our thinking about its possibilities.

It is credited Courtesy of Julia Lohmann, Violaine Buet, and Jon Lister.

  • Algae Lab
  • algae vessels.
  • Courtesy of Atelier Luma/Luma Arles.
  • NATURE.032
  • Knotted Chair Chair
  • H x W x D: 70.8 x 53.3 x 63.5 cm (27 7/8 x 21 x 25 in.).
  • Gift of Cappellini.
  • 2008-23-1

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

  • Lounge Chair (USA)
  • enameled bent tubular steel, cotton cord.
  • Gift of Powell/Kleinschmidt.
  • 1997-111-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Nature—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318798856/ |title=Department of Seaweed: Living Archive, 2018-ongoing |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=20 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>