Images and Reporting by Hayden Martis
Founded by Japanese wooden furniture manufacturer laugh, see-saw is a range of everyday day objects from designers Ryohei Yoshiyuki, PANTALOON and Atsushi Suzuki with an emphasis on the relationship between people and products.
A table, chair, stand and series of trays round out this nicely balanced collection of objects, best described as playful, light, efficient and functional.
I was instantly engaged with the "knotted" table, designed by Ryohei Yoshiyuki. Well-proportioned, visually light and dare I say almost IKEA-like in it's simple construction. It wasn't until my second look at see-saw's exhibit and a good chat with the designers, was I informed that the seemingly random inlaid spots of color were, in fact, covering big knots in the grain...duh!
knotted table by Ryohei Yoshiyuki
Made from Japanese Cedar, or Sugi, it's natural defects ensure each and every table is a unique and individual object. Purists can object to "covering" natures blemishes, however the spotty additions create a beautiful and playful dimension which would have otherwise been lost had Yoshiyuki kept things clean and minimal. Selected Melamine tones were soft and complimented the natural wood grain color nicely.
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