artfully charred intersections mark subin bae’s welded wood and steel chairs

subin bae unveils the wood welding furniture series

Subin Bae’s Wood Welding series artfully explores the concept of connections through the interaction of wood and fire. The essence of connection of this fusion is captured in the smoldering remnants of fire and the transformative process it induces in the wood, culminating in a series of charred, modular chairs and a cabinet. As the wood undergoes combustion it generates soot, imbuing the material with an impression of ‘devoting itself’. This serves as a metaphorical representation of connection, with the soot left behind symbolizing the contact and interlinking of the wood. This theme is further echoed in the process of melting metal, where each molten element combines to form a new entity.

wood and fire explore the essence of connections

The Wood Welding series comprises two chairs, one crafted from poplar plywood and the other from stainless steel. The wooden chair is marked by burnt edges at the intersections, with the application of welding to wood introducing a distinct contradiction between material and expression. The burnt areas, when touched during the creative process, leave traces of ash, which were cast in resin on each side for clarity by Subin Bae. In tandem, a stainless steel chair of identical shape is created, deliberately retaining the welding sludge, emphasizing the ‘dynamic spirit with fire’.

In addition, the designer has crafted a cabinet from poplar plywood which transforms the scorching effects of fire into an artistic pattern. Its intense flame markings abstractly mirror the dynamic appearance of two connected souls engaged in a dance. Much like the chair, each side of the cabinet receives a resin finish, further enhancing the visual impact.

project info:

name: Wood Welding series
designer: Subin Bae

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