‘form follows function: experiments in textile moulding’ by silo studio installation view (2012) image © philip sayer courtesy of marsden woo gallery london

british silo studio has developed a series of processes that adapt to industrial manufacturing in small scale production. their latest project ‘form follows function: experiments in textile moulding’ at the marsden woo gallery in london reflects on the possibilities of creating expressive forms with decoration. in continuing to refine the textile moulding techniques which they originally developed to form their signature material ‘nseps’ (not so expanded polystyrene), the conception involves steaming or ‘cooking’ coloured polystyrene beads inside specially sewn fabric moulds, causing the beads to expand and fuse together into an unusually dense but lightweight material.

from this, they have taken the process and applied it to form textured aluminium legs of their new tables and stands,where their surreal, melting shelf brackets and idiosyncratic wall hooks rise to the unique formal characteristics of their furniture as well as its distinctive pixelated patterns and texture that persist throughout the collection. as a result, no two objects are ever alike in either form or pattern. each of the ‘nseps’ elements are supported on cushions of hand-moulded polycaprolactone (pcl) that is dyed in jewel-like hues, taking on the patchwork constructions of the individually sewn original artifacts. 

silo studio: form follows function   experiments in textile moulding silo studio, view of textile-moulded carafes and tumblers on nseps shelves and textile moulded aluminium brackets (2012) image © philip sayer courtesy of marsden woo gallery london

silo studio: form follows function   experiments in textile moulding silo studio, view of textile-moulded nseps and aluminium bangles, hooks and geode lidded vessel (2012) image © philip sayer courtesy of marsden woo gallery london

silo studio: form follows function   experiments in textile moulding silo studio, textile-moulded doric light (2012) image © philip sayer courtesy of marsden woo gallery london

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