Maedeup is a multi-functional furniture/ wall decoration that highlights the Korean traditional knot-making method interpreted into the contemporary design piece by collaborating with a seamstress who worked on beddings for more than 30 years, following the traditional way of making the knots created with sustainable, animal cruelty-free material. This human-sized art is tied in a dragonfly Knot alongside two more round knots. The characteristic of the Korean Knot is it looks the same back and forth. This multi-purpose furniture is designed to “decorate” any space in a flexible manner. Handcrafted, mega-sized (made with a pillow of 30m in length, 14 cm in diameter), experimental furniture incorporating a variety of traditional Korean knots, is one of the oldest forms of decorative art. This multipurpose furniture is intended not only to decorate any room in a versatile manner but also to serve as a piece of furniture to rest on. The feature of this work is that both sides are symmetrical and there is no front and back division. This is also a characteristic of traditional Korean knots, especially in the case of a round knot, it is the same from any angle, and it is tied to a calculated shape where the beginning and end of the knot cannot be seen. Maedeup, which is a part of the collection implies the idea of long-term sustainability by working with masters of each field who deserves much more recognition. As Korean designers, we believe that our culture has far more to offer than Kpop and K-dramas. It's a shame that we're not doing a better job of promoting and displaying our traditional art values, which are slowly fading through generations. In this regard, we would like to incorporate modern furniture design into our culture to make it more sustainable and approachable. To go beyond the conventional representation of traditional craft techniques such as lacquerware, traditional knots, embroidery, and metal crafts, we would like to propose a new way of looking from a new perspective combined with the contemporary aesthetics that we pursue
Maeduep. Dragonfly Wall decoration, 2022
Maeduep. Dragonfly, 2022
From the series Tying Wishes
Cotton, expandable polypropylene
Dimensions: 160.0 x 50.0 x 40.0 cm (Φ13.0)
Color: White
WKND Lab is a duo designer studio in Seoul, Korea. It was founded by Eunji Jun and Halin Lee. WKND Lab specializes in various design disciplines, including material research, object design, furniture design, and art installation.
With a focus on material-driven narratives, WKND Lab communicates its philosophy about the dynamic interplay between design, humanity, and the natural environment.
WKND Lab is committed to crafting designs that are simple yet striking, with a strong emphasis on the unique texture and coloration of the materials they use.
In doing so, WKND Lab hopes to encourage individuals to explore not only aesthetics but also environmentally, culturally, and socially conscious design alternatives.
