In Jeonghwa Seo's "Cylinder Series," the marriage of cast aluminum tubes and transparent acrylic transforms the traditional concept of furniture design.
Seo’s collection of tables and benches demonstrates a meticulous attention to form, material, and structural interplay. Each piece is crafted to highlight the interaction between the opaque, sanded-down acrylic and the robust metal frame, resulting in a compelling visual dialogue that plays with notions of visibility and concealment. The acrylic’s subtle hues of light green, lilac, amber, and white contrast with the cool, industrial silver-grey of the aluminum, creating a soft yet striking aesthetic.
The design of each piece is as much about the ethereal qualities of light and shadow as it is about the tangible materials. The acrylic slabs, delicately frosted to obscure the aluminum tubing beneath, offer a ghostly glimpse of the structure, inviting the viewer to contemplate the tension between the perceived softness of the material and the underlying rigidity of the metal. This interplay is further enhanced by the manipulation of color and light, with overlapping tints casting subtle reflections and shadows, adding depth and dimension to each piece. Seo’s work challenges traditional notions of comfort and practicality, instead encouraging an appreciation for the sculptural qualities and spatial impact of furniture.
Jeonghwa Seo’s "Cylinder Series" is a testament to the power of minimalism and material exploration. The collection's deliberate focus on the relationship between form and function, and its capacity to adapt yet assert its presence within a space, reflects a sophisticated understanding of contemporary design. Made locally in Seoul, these pieces are more than functional objects; they are studies in the juxtaposition of transparency and opacity, softness and strength, that encourage viewers to reimagine the boundaries of furniture design.
