Mia Melvær

Department: Man and Living

Work With Me

Considering that design emerged from craftsmanship 200 years ago, Mia Melvær wondered why age-old techniques long used by craftsmen have not been embraced by modern designers. She therefore incorporated the traditional skill of woodcarving in her design process. Shunning needless romanticism, she opted for a rather merciless approach, hacking abstract, geometric shapes out of fresh roots. As the wood dried, it started cracking, twisting and turning. Afterwards, Melvær reworked it again. The alterations she made in Work With Me continue to affect the wood and vice versa, asking the designer to let go of the idea of absolute control.