always break by wonjae sung

 

Wonjae Sung’s Always Break breathes new life into discarded products, revitalizing them as functional works of art. The project sets out to deconstruct the fixed form of off-the-shelf items, presenting a subdued reinterpretation of their essence with a methodical approach. Utilizing moolastic children’s toys and unconventional materials commonly found in specialist makeup, the designer boils, colors, and shapes these materials by hand into a series of intricate, abstract chairs and lights.

wonjae sung repurposes discarded plastic and makeup into intricate chairs and lights
Fniss Lighting | all images courtesy of Wonjae Sung

 

 

from waste to sculptural furniture

 

Wonjae Sung’s initial exploration of this manual manufacturing process began with the Fniss light, which was crafted from repurposed Ikea waste of a frame of the same name. Building upon this, the thorn-covered chair of Always Break emerged, realized with the intent of discouraging mass disposal and protecting the environment. High pack chairs, often discarded from offices and school, were reclaimed and remanufactured as the artist introduced spines on the armrest and backrest, deviating from their original robust and mundane image. 

 

With the Connection Chairs, also originating from off-the-shelf products, the blooming spines remain a motif while the project’s emphasis shifted towards organic connections. Sung sought to highlight importance of organizational maps that can demonstrate strength through numerous organic connections, even if they individually may appear fragile. Sung draws parallels between these organic forms and the intricate nature of human relationships, business dynamics, and the diverse connections that shape our lives.

 

 

wonjae sung repurposes discarded plastic and makeup into intricate chairs and lights
manually crafted from children’s toys and unconventional materials found in specialist makeup

wonjae sung repurposes discarded plastic and makeup into intricate chairs and lights
High Pack Chair

wonjae sung repurposes discarded plastic and makeup into intricate chairs and lights
chairs reclaimed from schools and offices were infused with spines along the armrest and backrest

wonjae sung repurposes discarded plastic and makeup into intricate chairs and lights
the manufacturing process involves boiling, coloring, and shaping the materials by hand

wonjae sung repurposes discarded plastic and makeup into intricate chairs and lights

wonjae sung repurposes discarded plastic and makeup into intricate chairs and lights
Connection Chair

always break
blooming spines remain a motif while the project’s emphasis shifted towards organic connections

always break
with this piece, Sung sought to highlight importance of organizational maps

always break
the maps can demonstrate strength through numerous organic connections which individually may appear fragile

 

 

project info:

 

name: Always Break 
designer: Wonjae Sung

 

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: ravail khan | designboom