jiyoun kim's dokkaebi stools are topped with earthy color gradients

milan design week 2017: korean designer jiyoun kim has created 24 dokkaebi stools for the hangang art park in seoul. initially launched by the government body of the city, it is an ambitious project intended to introduce artistic installations into the ordinary parks nearby the han river. four designers have been carefully selected for the initiative, among them kim, to work on the project revolving around the theme of ‘suim’ — which translates into ‘resting’ in english. 

jiyoun kim dokkaebi stool collection made of stainless steel 

jiyoun kim‘s dokkaebi stool for the hangang art park will be installed in a pine tree forest, where many korean folk stories take place. dokkaebi, just like trolls in european tales, is an imaginary monster frequently mentioned in old korean tales; both are characterized by ugly and unattractive faces. however, the dokkaebi is not a monster simply seeking murder, but a joyful spirit that rewards people doing good deeds and punishes the ones who fail to do so.

the stainless steel cylinders are carefully mirror polished

the dokkaebi stools are carved as cylindrical stainless steel objects, which are delicately mirror-polished. eight different gradient colors, representing the pine tree forest in different seasons, were painted on the upper part of each cylinder. by availing the mirror effect of the inferior side reflecting the surrounding area, kim creates the perceptual illusion that the colored tops are floating in the middle of the air. just like the creature easily manipulating his appearance, the 24 stools naturally immerse into the forest. they will also transform according to the colors of the grass, tree, and sky — which eventually change as the year goes by. 

dokkaebi stool collection with designer jiyoun kim

dokkaebi stool no.01

dokkaebi stool no.04

concept sketch by jiyoun kim 

the 24 stools installed in a pine forest rich in korean folk stories

eight different gradient colors, representing the pine tree forest in different seasons 

dokkaebi stool installed permanently in yeouido hangang-park in seoul

kim creates the perceptual illusion that the colored sides are floating in the middle of the air 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom