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Growing Chairs: Spider’s Thread by Tokujin Yoshioka

10.24.13 | By
Growing Chairs: Spider’s Thread by Tokujin Yoshioka

Tokujin Yoshioka is at it again in a new solo exhibition called TOKUJIN YOSHIOKA_Crystallize at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo featuring chairs and sculptures grown like a spider’s web.

A series of chairs that will be part of the exhibition were inspired by the Ryunosuke Akutagawa story, The Spider’s Thread, in which the spider becomes the salvation and hope of a lowly criminal trapped in hell.

Seven threads are stretched and tighten between the frame like a Spider’s web, and draw a three dimensional sketch of a chair in the air. By growing crystals on this structure made by only seven thin threads, it becomes a crystal structure that set a form of a chair. Simplifying the volume of its form as much as possible and following the natural form, a sculpture of chair will appear formed by the power of nature.

Exhibition view

Exhibition view

Exhibition view

Exhibition view

Using extra-fine threads, Yoshioka grows a chair and other large-scale pieces using a mineral solution that causes a chemical reaction. Additionally, he will present crystallized paintings drawn by the vibration of music “Swan Lake” and other pieces. I am really looking forward to seeing all the images from this exhibition.

The thing "spider's web" strands - how the chair begins

The thing “spider’s web” strands – how the chair begins

The beginning

The beginning

The chair in process

The chair in process

Jaime Derringer, Founder + Executive Editor of Design Milk, is a Jersey girl living in SoCal. She dreams about funky, artistic jewelry + having enough free time to enjoy some of her favorite things—running, reading, making music, and drawing.