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Contemporary Design

Ulva Intestinalis

by Zoé Bruhat, Asia Pomorska, Vilma Sainio
A wooden bench with carvings, placed on a large rock by a body of water.
Photo : Vilma Sainio

The Baltic Sea is a living body. To us, it is not a resource to take from, but a presence to be with.

This bench is meant to be placed around the Baltic Sea, to invite passbyers to take a moment to allow their gaze to drift toward the scenery: the horizon, the water, the sky. Its light weight encourages the sitter to lift the bench where they are curious to observe by lifting the wooden object and choosing a spot to intentionally place it. Lowered slightly in height, the bench brings the visitor closer to ground and landscapes. It encourages directing attention to the overlooked: the sand and moss beneath the feet, the movements of insects, the strands of algae drifting in the water. The surface of the bench itself becomes a guide, zooming into the patterns of the Ulva Intestinalis (¾±²õ´Ç²õ³Ü´Ç±ô¾±±ô±ð±¹Ã¤). The algae’s structure, invisible to the naked eye, can be discovered through a tactile interaction with the engraved textures.

A carved wooden bench on rocky terrain with a person's legs partially visible, wearing black pants and brown shoes.
On top of the bench lays the organic 2mm deep pattern. Photo: Vilma Sainio
Two people in dark clothing carry a wooden table on rocky terrain with a reflective lake in the background.
The bench is light enough to be carried around the shore. Photo: Vilma Sainio
Person in black clothing and red boots standing in water, holding a wooden bench.
Photo: Vilma Sainio
Three abstract patterns in green, blue, and black on white backgrounds, created by spreading algae onto silkscreens.
To create the pattern, Ulva Intestinalis was spread onto a silkscreen, printed, scanned and then vectorised.
A CNC machine carving a piece of wood, creating wood shavings and dust. The area is industrial and dimly lit.
The vector drawing is engraved on the bench top using a CNC machine. Photo: Vilma Sainio
A fallen tree with intricate bark beetle trails carved into its surface, surrounded by forest floor debris and leaves.
Wood engraved by Woodboring beetles. Photo: Vilma Sainio

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