Yomigæri II [ 2023 ]
with Jarkko Kinnunen
exhibited at DesignMarch - Reykjavík
and in San Miniato, Tuscany
9 design objects
9 sustainable techniques
inspired by the
9 rooms of Hell in Dante’s Inferno.
Yomigæri 2 is an exploration of transformation, confronting modern ecological crisis by resurrecting bygone craftsmanship.
In an era where unsustainable production and rampant consumerism are quite literally burning the planet,
this project rejects modern manufacturing and re-modernizes ancient, primitive techniques.
Using Icelandic natural ingredients and rigorous material experimentation we create sustainable design objects for the contemporary world.
The inspiration for Yomigæri II is directly drawn from Inferno, the first part of Dante Alighieri’s 14th-century epic, the Divine Comedy.
Every object in this collection is intentionally circular to highlight the environmental necessity of circular economy
and mirror the iconic, descending circles of Dante’s Hell.
Each piece visually manifests a specific layer of the underworld or the poetic punishments within.
With this project we honor the raw force and natural beauty of fire,
by making items with materials that are all molded and transformed by fire in one way or the other.
The exhibition is also a humorous nod to the old common idea of Iceland being the literal entrance to- or even being Hell itself.
the centerpiece:
DANTE
1st circle – limbo
representing the poet himself, the exhibition’s focal point is
an intricate patchwork costume created by Svart.
the garment mirrors the fragmented, tortured souls Dante encounters on his journey
this piece is constructed from rust-dyed leftover scraps salvaged from yomigæri (2021).
both the headpiece out of wool, reinterpreting Dante’s historical hood and poet’s laurel,
and cotton robe are both meticulously hand-dyed
with iron oxide and soy milk as a primitive, non-toxic fixative.
