“The Lake - the Circle of Water” installation symbolises an existing scenery at Yuhang countryside, Hangzhou, China. The landscape around Jingshancun is beautiful and trying to invite the designer hiking or swimming. The designer sees beauty in all faces of nature, no matter if cold or warm, rain or sun, snow or wind. The works at the exhibition are aiming to illustrate this variety.

A number of metal woven patterns and objects as well as a large mirror are illustrating a simple natural circle of elements. The exhaust hood sucks in bacterias and cells - filters them into clean air and clouds - rain and snow is falling down into the lake - a cooking stove prepares food which profits from healthy water and soil around the lake - the water filter generates clean water.

All woven elements are made by local Yuhang villagers. Every decorative object will be transformed into a product which enriches living interiors. “The Lake - the Circle of Water” installation is the beginning of an alternative work perspective for the local people living around the lake. Robam is supporting them towards a healthier and sustainable work and lifestyle.

Bamboo crafts are providing a variety of possibilities. The main inspiration for the works at the exhibition was bamboo weaving which the designer transformed into metal weaving. Materials such as copper, steel, tin or zinc in different thickness are woven in a variety of patterns. Metal was used instead of bamboo because we aimed for very filigree and light pieces but with a certain strength and durability. The results are ranging between very light and almost floating pieces to strong and stiff objects. All elements are following one language: deep in pattern and details, surprising in their characteristics, elegant and emotional.

As a carpenter i worked with wood for many years already. Since my stay in china I had the pleasure of working with bamboo, learning form professional craftsmen and analysing related crafts. The unique characteristics are very inspiring to me and I’m always trying to use the material according to its natural quality. In my works I m looking for boundaries and further possibilities. Metal wires were just another challenge were i can benefit from my knowledge about bamboo and adding other qualities to the design. Every metal wire itself is more or less fragile and weak. By applying the right craft it turns into surprisingly stiff objects, flexible forms or rich patterns.

Metal normally has the reputation of a sober, cold and heavy material used in a very functional and rational manner. Our exhibition is aiming to give another view to metal. Every piece is made of simple wires - an endless variety of patterns and structures - emotional and surprising.

Each decorative piece at the exhibition has a functional future. The aim was to create a balance between highly decorative elements explaining and supporting the story of the Lake but at the same time developing ideas and platforms for products, jewellery and furniture. Clouds are turning into decorative room dividers and lamps, cell structures are becoming a series of plates and vases, a huge seed will be a seat, rain and snow are turning into very detailed wall decorations, a root becomes a table.

Most of the works were hand crafted by the villagers of jingshancun. They were not producing the pieces just for the exhibition but also for their future profession. They have the opportunity to continue the production of the designs and profit from it.