Designer: Simon Schüler
Year: 2024
Material: repurposed fabric, foam
Dimensions: TETRA consists of twelve individual tetrahedrons, each with a side length of 65cm
How can we establish a true collaboration with an object? This question was at the heart of my work. Inspired by the growing significance of the term “collaboration” across disciplines, the project explores a novel form of partnership, one where an object becomes an equal participant in the creative process.
The collaborator in this project was an object found in a toy store, named “Geo.” To build a relationship with Geo, the process began with personification: eyes were added, a name was given, and “conversations” were held about its desires and needs. These dialogues led to the development of a method where objects actively contribute as co-creators in the design process.
The result of this collaboration is TETRA, a flexible and interactive system made of twelve interconnected tetrahedrons. Designed like a modular system, each tetrahedron can be connected or separated, allowing for endless combinations and configurations. Neither furniture nor pure sculpture, it’s an invitation to interact.
The tetrahedrons are crafted from a thick fabric, originally part of military tents from the German Army, produced in the 1980s and used extensively before being decommissioned. Due to years of use in the army,it bears many signs of wear and tells the story of its past. It features prints, inscriptions, holes, and patched areas. Moreover, the fabric panels include numerous eyelets, loops, and other hardware elements. The fabric is filled with high quality polyurethane foam, sourced from local production.
TETRA demonstrates that collaboration isn’t limited to human interactions. It can also be a meeting of equals between humans and objects, fostering new possibilities through respectful communication and creative openness.
Discover more about Tetra on my Instagram page.