We have already talked about a few of the graduation projects and now it is time to look at the only master’s exhibition in Stockholm. The masters of Konstfack.
When doing my report from previously I mentioned how the bachelors had a kind of “kindness” in their works. So are the masters. But more so, they are investigating in aesthetics more than functionality. Storytelling (kindness) and surfaces are common themes. Lets look at some of my favourites.
One of my favourites was Maeva Weissen. She took her experiences from growing up in the projects and talked about it as a beautiful thing. The meetings of classes and cultures benefited her life and inspirered her. So here she is lifting the projects to something elevated. Beautiful story and execution. And I love how large this is. No hiding.
I don’t want to do this report by materials but the textile students from Craft Department had som beautiful storytelling. I was really taken by that in general. And everything was so large. I felt selfesteem.
Above Bhumika Sethi. I loved the tapestry tradition with mixing cultures to tell a contemporary story. Amazing.
I was also drawn to Johan Ibrahim Adam. He wants to talk about hierarchies. Is a chandelier a higher status than a rug?
Gustaf Helsing is already an established designer and craftsperson. He does exhibitions for museums etc. He is also talking about hierachies. What motifs do we weave? Only pretty things?
Also large and storytelling. Lisa Englund.
Another theme I picked up was surfaces. Or how things look. There was an interest in if things looked nice or could look nicer.
Irma Schlauchter Ståhl looked at material imitation. The two sockets to the right in the first picture are actually printed on textiles. But of course she looked at imitating wood.
Looking nice. This cabinet has a higher quality in looks than in functionality. Annika Toijanen. The first cabinet is all made of wood and the second have ornaments made of leather.
KunSik Choi is on the verge of an international breakthrough. His wood furniture is getting a whole new level of artistry by adding the rice paper. I am not sure it adds a modernistic functionality, but it is beautiful.
My favourite from all the projects. This is also talking about surfaces. How do you make things last? Or not get bored of things? Jonathan Berglund made this table with wine stains but all parts are easy to change, so repair is involved. The small stool changes appearance everytime your turn it.
Also talking about surfaces. Will social media change what kind of shapes we appreciate? Will everything become symmetrical? I personally don’t think so, but Marta Veiga wanted to discuss that.
Anton Sander also looked at surfaces and aesthetics. He looked at unwanted materials and made chairs. We have seen this thinking before, but still relevant and interesting. I just wished there was a little bit more than just a handful of nice looking chairs.
Carolina Weigl made wood pieces – but rounded – for public playgrounds. It gives the piece a softer look.
So, maybe we can conclude that the class of 2023 is more interested in storytelling and surfaces than previous years. I didn’t see a lot of innovative thinking. Of course there were some sustainable projects. For instance a shopping experience, locally produced silk etc. But nothing really new.
I must say that I did like the thinking from Alicia Knight. She worked with the national railways in Sweden and turned a train into a coworking space. I really doubt that this will ever happen but I liked the thinking. I would absolutely use trains more often if they looked like this.