Thaw is a process by which the unpredictability of melting ice forms the shape and surface of a piece of furniture or object. These works result from the unlikely combination of powdered plaster and frozen water .
The first example of this work is a simple three-legged stool which we cast in ice and then buried in powdered plaster. The water from the melting ice hardens the plaster and creates a physical record of the transition, which is then excavated from the material. The consequences of using different plaster compositions have a profound impact on the resulting surface texture, each type of plaster producing its own distinctive appearance. This video shows the alchemy of the process.
Developed in collaboration with fellow designer Yu-Lin Chen. www.yulinchen.org
