Dragon chair and Console table | Chulan Kwak

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| 18 : 00 – 20 June 2018 |

Dragon chair and console is a set of sculptural furniture designed and crafted by Seoul-based artist Chulan Kwak. Inspired from the movement of a Chinese brush used for calligraphy, the furniture is a part of his Cursive Structure series.

Applying the technique of paper craft to wood working, the artist was able to create the 2D form into furniture using 3D software. The visually striking curves of the chair and table evokes a dynamic and sophisticated movement. Thin, flexible ply were cut via CNC machine and put together precisely and dyed with Muck. Dragon table and console is functional and aesthetically pleasing – a complementary balance of modern design and traditional art.

Dragon console table

From the designer –

Caoshu (known as Chinese cursive brush-writing) is the most abbreviated typeface in the calligraphy. The free flow resembles the appearance of a dragon that seems to fly through the sky.

Chinese cursive brush writing

Chulan Kwak, inspired by this movement, restructured the 2D stroke of Caoshu, which seemed to run the blank space rhythmically, into the 3D structure. He has created ‘Cursive Structure’ that functions as well as creating a contrast between the object and margin of space that changes according to the viewpoint.

2D to 3D development

In order to realize this free curved form, Chulan Kwak applied the technique of paper craft to woodwork. He first created the form through 3D software and then unfolded it to extract the accurate drawing. He used this method to precisely cut thin and bendable plywood with a CNC machine and to adhere the edges of each parts correctly in order.

Flexible ply precisely cut to the desired form

Through the combination of the digital tool and craftsmanship, he was able to create the solid forms of free curves in the real world, such as those made in the virtual space. They were finished after dyeing with Muck (ink used for Chinese brush-writing) for the deep black color.