Provoked by the movement of pigments and water the compositions are formed by an autonomous colour-dynamic. Wooden aquarelle, a colouring technique for wooden surfaces by Meike Harde, allows the mass production of individually unique pieces. These unique pieces are currently on display at Dutch Design Week 2015 (DDW2015) at the Sectie-C location.

The addition of liquid pigments on a wooden surface provokes an autono-mous colour response. Random colour-gradients, soft transitions, poly-chrome streaks and nuances cover the wooden material like a translucent ink. This aquarelle technique was once used by painters August Macke and Emil Nole.

Only the colour palette used for the initial impulse is controllable. The colouring process runs chaotically and leaves random, dynamic patterns.

Wooden Aquarelle is the result of a material study to colour wood. In a first step the wooden panel is clamped onto a water-proof frame. The wood is then coloured by adding pigmented water which soaks into the wood. The tinted water evaporates within a few hours and leaves a unique structure. After drying, the coloured wood is varnished with a transparent finish.Further processing of the pigmented wood is optional. The method creates decorated wooden sheets which can be used in various ways such as a base material for furniture, wall panels, or floor tiles.

Wooden Aquarell was applied to three furnishings.The side tables are essentially diagonally split cubes. Different heights make them nestable. They can be combined in various arrangements sug-gestive of mosaic.The screen is made out of single boards. A U-shape is inserted on the top and bottom of the wood, fixed on one side but freely movable on the other. The metal part combines both connector and hinge in one part. A square dining table is constructed nearly cut-free. The coloured wood is curved down on the edges to get a continuous decor. The table has removable legs to allow it to ship flat

Year: 2015
Material: birch, pigments
Images: Meike Harde