jólan van der wiel uses the power of magnets to shape gravity stool

jólan van der wiel uses the power of magnets to shape gravity stool photo by peter lipton

‘gravity stool’ by dutch designer jólan van der wiel is on show as part of imm cologne 2012‘s [D³] talents programme.  the project takes into consideration the laws of physics, departing from the idea that everything is influenced by gravitation. for the series, van der wiel manipulates this natural phenomenon which has a strong shaping effect, exploiting its own power: magnetism. 

‘gravity stool’, black photo by peter lipton

the designer has developed the ‘magnet machine’, whereby he positions magnetic fields above and below a container of polarized material. in order to form and determine the shapes of his furniture pieces, the hanging units are pulled down and then released, in which the substance follows, drawn upwards by magnetic force, letting nature determine the shape of the stool. the material cures within half an hour. 

‘gravity stool’, purple photo by peter lipton

‘gravity stool’, yellow photo by peter lipton

‘gravity stools’ photo by peter lipton

‘gravity stool’ production process:

magnetic material is poured into a basin and placed between the magnetic forces of the ‘magnetmachine’

the magnets are pulled downwards toward the magnetic substance

before the process begins, you must wait a few seconds…

as the magnetic fields are released, they pull the material upwards

the ‘growing’ stool

completing a ‘gravity stool’

video credits: director: miranda stet production: miranda stet, pieter kamp, peter lipton editing: miranda stet, pieter kamp