2008
Ed. of 7 + 1 AP
Aldo Bakker's 'Red' low stool results from 52 weeks of painstaking urushi lacquering by Sergej Kirilov. The master-lacquerer achieves a mesmerizing color depth by using two tones of red urushi over multiple layers.
The application of the Urushi adds longevity to the stool by protecting the wooden structure. In excess of 30 layers of urushi is applied to the surface as a varnish and each layer must be allowed to dry in a warm, dust-free, humid environment. Lacquer applied too thickly or unevenly, or allowed to dry too quickly or slowly can result in inconsistencies and uneven surfaces.
Each layer is polished by hand, a process that creates tiny, almost imperceptible variations in shade and color and gives the surface its sense of depth and life. The natural one-component varnish becomes harder and harder over time. Keeping the core of the product intact for decades. Today there are 9000-year-old objects - still well preserved with Urushi. The technique demands patience, awareness, time, and attention. The Urushi series is Bakker’s peaceful protest against overspending and planned obsolescence.; conservation versus consumerism.
EXHIBITIONS
Huis de Uil in Temse, 2009
Z33 Design Triennial Hasselt, Belgium, 2009
Museum Van Loon, 2010
CID Grand Hornu Museum, 2017
Two Tones of Urushi Lacquered, Wooden Structure
Ø 14.5 x H 14.17 in
Ø 36.8 x 40 cm
Upon Request
Upon Request