The Arch

"The Arch", Walden exhibition, Schloss Hollenegg for Design 
Curated by Alice Stori Liechtenstein 

During our residency at Schloss Hollenegg for Design, much of our time was spent at a large table overlooking the "wilderness" — the landscape stretching beyond the castle. Through the arched windows, one could observe not only the colors of the environment shifting hourly but also the increasingly erratic weather, a reminder of the consequences of human actions.

The Arch serves as a metaphorical and physical boundary between two worlds: the polished and the raw, safety and wilderness, tradition and innovation, past and future, nature as we know it today and as it may become. In this liminal space, we combined poetic and technological elements to create an immersive yet subtle, sustainable, site-specific installation. It invites viewers to reflect on both the natural and the future landscapes through an interactive and transformative lens.

A large-scale object is crafted using two natural materials: Nuatan® bioplastic sheets, representing the new sustainable generation of plastics, and locally sourced wood, a symbol of traditional sustainability. With no screws or glue, the structure relies entirely on a traditional wooden joinery system, ensuring both materials decompose within the same timeframe and promoting circular design principles.

As time passes, the materials evolve, aging gracefully. The bioplastic sheets, translucent and dynamic, shift in appearance daily, reacting to light and weather. By sliding individual panels, viewers can either reveal the natural world behind them or transform the window’s visuals, creating an ever-changing interaction.

For more information about the Walden exhibition, visit this website.