crystals create spider's thread chair by tokujin yoshioka

crystals create spider’s thread chair by tokujin yoshioka
all images courtesy of tokujin yoshioka

drawing a three dimensional sketch of a chair in the air, ‘spider’s thread’ by japanese artist tokujin yoshioka is created by growing crystals onto seven fine threads. the thin structural pieces are tightened between a frame, like a spider’s web to eventually form a crystallized chair. the volume’s simple outline allows the power of nature to help it take shape. tokujin yoshioka explains how the idea was based on the story ‘the spider’s thread’ by ryunosuke akutagawa:

‘the buddha decides to give one chance to a criminal in hell who did a good deed of saving a spider when he was alive. the buddha takes a thread of a spider in heaven and lowers it down to hell so that the criminal can climb up from the hell to the paradise. in the story, a thread of a spider is a symbol of slight hope and fragility.’

the work is part of a solo exhibition ‘tokujin yoshioka – crystallize’ that started on october 3rd, at museum of contemporary art tokyo. there are three pieces on display, including the chairs in process to show how only seven extra fine threads are turned into a crystallized chair.

the chair is formed by naturally growing crystals

a structural frame of seven thin pieces of thread form the outline for the chair to grow

the exhibition features works that are in the process of forming a crystallized chair structure

view showing tokujin yoshioka’s delicately formed ‘spider’s thread’ chair

detail of the crystallized structure

the artwork is developed from the natural energy of the crystals

the process eventually forms the outline of a crystal chair

detail view of the crystals

the thin structural pieces are tightened between a frame, like a spider’s web

view showing the seven pieces of thread

detail view of the threads

tokujin yoshioka placing the threads

tokujin yoshioka

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