Lived Wood

Tom Thiel(Germany)

Tom Thiel was born in Kassel, West-Germany in 1962. He opened his first studio in 1983 in West Berlin, Germany. He studied at the University Of Art, Kassel, Germany until 1988. He then studied of Architecture at the University Of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany from 1996 to 2003.

He has appeared and hosted many exhibitions such as the Signale Gallery in Berlin 1987, the "Het Multiple", Internationales Culturelles Centrum, Museum voor schone Kunsten, Antwerpen in 1994, "The Edward Hyde Collection Of Contemporary Art", Westwerk, Hamburg in 1996, the Design-Gallery, Entwurf-Direkt, Hamburg in 2007.

Design Synopsis of gelebtes Holz (lived wood)

Tom Thiel's work is between Autonomous Art and Industrial Design. Artistic theme is about material that is loaded with history, time and traces of use. He extends this positive charge by creating a new context for the material, in which this accumulation can continue through future use. To make this process functioning, the pieces cannot have the appearance of autonomous artworks, because traditionally these would be restored, if traces of use appear. The solution is, to create objects of everyday use under this artistic concept that has something in common with the ideas of African Tribal Art, which is very valuable and honourable. Tools and techniques are very simple thus changes could be made as little as possible. Mostly, the basic material is wood, that has been used before. He finds it in the streets or in buildings that are to be demolished. The resulting objects must be attractive and functional, so that it can be used with fun. This is why he takes away the disturbing parts of the patina like dirt, standing out nails, splintered parts etc. However, some old traces stay and tell their stories, some traces of his interference are added and making a start for the new life of an object. Most pieces are free of metal. Surfaces are not treated so they will easily take on the traces of future users and develop their own patina. Future repairs and changes only add value by prolonging the life and telling their stories.

Information provided by Sun Hung Kai Properties Charitable Fund Limited.