Braided & Laced - Exhibition Revisited

Revisiting the Exhibition: Braided & Laced - Decorative functionality

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The 2018 exhibition Braided & Laced highlighted a resurgence of interest in rattan furniture and classic braiding techniques. As society increasingly values craftsmanship and sustainability, it explored how traditional methods are being reimagined for modern design, blending aesthetic appeal with deep-rooted artisanal traditions.

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In 2018, the Museum of Furniture Studies curated an exhibition on classic crafts in furniture manufacturing. We noted that society’s desire for craftsmanship and genuine passion for materials is growing ever stronger. Today, designers and artisans collate their inspiration from older craft techniques and materials in their pursuit of creating products with deep values in terms of sustainability, honesty, and aesthetics.
 
An issue currently on the cards is how to ramp up artisanal production into industrial or semi-industrial manufacturing in a visually appealing and sustainable way. People demand furniture that offers new expressions and applications and is available on a broader scale. 
 
The BRAIDED & LACED exhibition at the Museum of Furniture Studies reflected the growing interest in rattan furniture and braided chairs. The exhibition paraded furniture design from the late 19th century to the present, including furniture with functional and decorative elements made of rattan, string, or straps. The exhibition showcased the value of craftsmanship and demonstrated how knowledge within various artisanal traditions could be refined and developed unexpectedly into a new and modern era of furniture design. Below are three techniques often used in classic furniture-making:
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French braid

French braid is a classic diagonally braided technique that was a common feature of rattan furniture in many homes in the late 19th century.

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Envelop braiding

Danish furniture was often braided using this technique in the 1940s. The pattern can differ depending on the surface structure of the braiding material.

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Webbing

Webbing was originally used to support load-bearing seat elements in furniture and became fashionable with the development of 1930s modernism.

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In addition to classic furniture making using traditional braided and laced techniques, the exhibition showed examples that illustrated modern interpretation and innovation-based design, revealing a new level of creativity and artistry.

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During the exhibition, the museum arranged a seminar on the topic of Decorative Design. The Swedish designers Mia Cullin, Anna Lindgren, Sofia Lagerkvist, Emma Olbers, Matti Klenell, Carina Seth Andersson, Karl Malmvall, and Carl Öjerstam presented their works and shared their experiences from their development processes. 

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Information:
Read more about the exhibition here.
Article written by Kersti Sandin Bülow and Lars Bülow