Watch This Robot Create Futuristic Furniture. In Metal. In Mid-Air.
Whether he’s making furniture generated by algorithms or engineering a “living” lampshade made of genetically modified cells, designer Joris Laarman experiments continually, and his pioneering methods of fabrication have made him one of today’s most compelling designers.
For Laarman, home is in the Netherlands. Many of his works, however, live here in Atlanta. The High Museum of Art boasts the largest public holdings of the Dutch artist’s work outside of his home country. Laarman’s conceptual creations merge cutting-edge technology with the life sciences to create functional objects of unexpected natural beauty.
“Laarman and his Lab are design pioneers and idea detonators whose intellectual and thoughtful approach to design is marked by combining science, technology, restless curiosity, and creativity with lyrical aesthetics.”
— Sarah Schleuning, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design
Beginning on February 18, the High will offer an in-depth look at Laarman’s innovative oeuvre in Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age. The exhibition, on view through May 13, will feature numerous designs from the High’s collection.
For an inside look at Laarman’s incredible construction process, watch this video about our Dragon Bench.
To make the impressive Dragon Bench, Laarman developed his own 3-D-printing robot (the MX3D), which draws molten metal lines in the air to create a form. The specially adapted robotic arm extrudes and welds the metal (which can be stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or bronze), regardless of orientation and without the need for support structures. The Dragon Bench represents Laarman’s ongoing explorations in fabrication through innovation in 3-D printing.
Below, check out some of Laarman’s designs in the High’s collection. Come see these works and more in Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age, on view from February 18 through May 13.
By Eva Berlin, Digital Content Specialist, High Museum of Art
