Pouring Shadows影をそそぐ

Presented at the EMARF COLOUR THINGS EXHIBITION in May 2022, this furniture series harnesses CNC machining and coloured MDF.

Coloured MDF is a material made from hardened coloured fibrous wood. The same colour as the surface appears when it is cut or scraped. Exploring the way in which this material can bring a unique aesthetics, we created a technique to draw shades of colour by means of shadows cast by the machining holes.

The technique requires the ShopBot, a cutting machine that can precisely process wood according to 3D data. ShopBot’s ability to precisely control the depth of the holes, combined with the unique characteristics of the coloured MDF material, enables the delicate gradation of colour of shades.

We like to call this technique ‘crafts-machine-ship’ rather than ‘craftsmanship’. It is up to us whether we can find and utilise new skill and craft hidden in new machines and materials.