Impossible Trees by WOLFS + JUNG is an ongoing series of constructed nature. These works, first started in Belgium with their earlier tree project 'NATURE V2.01(2006 - 2010)', involve exploration of natural textures, organic shapes and forms, and human perception of nature.
Intended neither to look fully natural nor artificial, these objects at first sight may look as if they had been found as such; but upon close inspection, reveal themselves to be impossible trees, growing in the shapes and directions that could not occur naturally.
Sculpted in recomposing hundreds of natural tree bark fragments and then casted using lost-wax techniques, these bronze seatings and sculptures question what we perceive as 'natural,' reflecting today's world of biotechnology and increasing human manipulation of nature.
Tree Study #05 2016/17
stool, polished bronze
lost wax casting
60W, 29D,49H(cm)
edition of 8 + 2 AP
Tree Study #03 2015
stool, polished bronze
lost wax casting
63W,31D,45.5H(cm)
edition of 8 + 2 AP
originally upholstered with natural Acacia bark
Moon Tree 2015
jar, cast bronze
44W,44D,45H(cm)
edition of 8 + 2 AP
originally upholstered with natural Acacia bark
Nature V2.01 project questions the contemporary definition of ‘nature’ in a world increasingly filled with genetically modified products.
Intended as a catalyst for the debates on the correlation between human, nature and the industry; these transformed tree series explores the possibility of organically manufactured artifacts in the form of conceptual seating pieces.
Their experiments, upholstered in natural tree bark, were made by gathering thousands of bark pieces of various kinds, painstakingly assembling them.
Since 2009, three pieces of these tree trunk series have been casted in bronze, a material valued for its patina that develops over time as in nature.
Square Tree Trunk series_bench II 2009
bench
150 L x 38 D x 38 H (cm)
bronze (edition of 8)
lost wax technique, yellow and green bronze
original piece upholstered using oak bark
by Emmanuel Wolfs + BoYoung Jung
Tree Trunk Chair II 2009
chair
80 W x 80 D x 80 H (cm)
bronze (edition of 8)
lost wax technique
original piece upholstered using larch bark
by Emmanuel Wolfs + BoYoung Jung
Pipe Dream 2012
daybed
60.5 W x 218 L x 56 H (cm)
welded metal structure made of mild steel pipes,
cast iron scaffolding fasteners
handmade by Wolfs + Jung
Untitled (The Flag) 2011
chair + found objects
50 W x 53 D x 125 H (cm)
welded metal structure made of mild steel pipes,
bamboo pole, red plastic bag
handmade by Emmanuel Wolfs + BoYoung Jung
WOLFS + JUNG is an art/design collective founded by Emmanuel Wolfs(Belgium) and BoYoung Jung(South Korea).
Born in 1977 in Brussels, Emmanuel Wolfs graduated from the Royal College of Art with an MA in Design Products (2004), and studied Industrial Design at LaCambre, Brussels (2002). BoYoung Jung, born in 1978 in Gwangju, studied Woodworking and Furniture Design at Hong-ik University, Seoul (1997-2002) and also completed an MA in Design Products at RCA, London (2005).
Following their studies, BoYoung and Emmanuel set up their studio DrawMeaSheep (2005-2008, renamed WOLFS + JUNG in 2009) in Belgium, as a platform to explore the critical and conceptual dimensions of domestic objects.
WOLFS + JUNG