NORIGAE No.2

NORIGAE No.2 2022 by Wknd Lab
Color: Multi-color
Size: 20.0 x 116.0 x 26.0 cm
Material: silk, metal Steel, acrylic, glass
Technique: Korean Traditional silk cloth decoration making

Norigae is a floor light made with Norigae, which is a traditional decorative pendant for women’s clothing. Norigae itself originally functions as a good-luck charm hoped to bring something such as eternal youth, wealth, or many children, as well as a fashion accessory.
This piece was designed with small Norigae tassels gathered to create the shape of a large Norigae tassel, in the sense of maximizing the original meaning of Norigae and bringing good fortune to the space.

Wkend Lab focused on the sul, which are tassels, made out of silk thread that is colored for the purpose. They chose five different colors that show the subtle beauty of Korean traditional clothing.

Therefore, designing contemporary lighting out of the forgotten accessory that they only see in historical movies and tv series nowadays was a new attempt to expand the meaning and explore new possibilities functionally.

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WKND Lab, a duo designer studio founded by Eunji Jun and Halin Lee. WKND Lab’s work field varies from material research, object, to furniture design. All with material-driven narratives to tell our philosophy about relationships between design, humans, and nature. The studio pursues simple design that reflects the beautiful texture and color of the founded material. With their designed objects, they aim to introduce and deliver narratives into peoples' lifestyles, suggesting not just esthetic but also sustainable alternatives.
Wkend Lab believe that the users have a deep thirst to re-invent forgotten materials and craftsmanship. As Korean designers they believe that their culture has far more to offer than Kpop and K-dramas. The designers want to go beyond the conventional representation of traditional craft techniques, they would like to propose a new way of looking from a new perspective combined with the contemporary aesthetics that they pursue.

Globalization of the whole world was rapidly triggered as national borders online disappeared. The world is becoming a new mixed culture altogether. Accordingly, the longing for the traditional identity is also occurring simultaneously. However traditional craftsmanship is being replaced with fast mass-produced goods. Also, even the items in the market that claim that they are inspired by traditional methods are made similar only in appearance, and there are many cases where traditional materials are not actually used.