Rosewood Cabinet by Schimmel & Schweikle - 2020

Description

The Rosewood Cabinet by design duo Schimmel & Schweikle is a sculptural piece of functional art. Created using wood, wood filament, aluminium, resin, and industrial hardware, the cabinet blends traditional techniques with contemporary 3D fabrication. The intricate surfaces feature a hand-drawn two-dimensional wood grain that has been digitally translated into a three-dimensional relief, complete with ornamental flourishes that appear hand-carved. This illusion is heightened by a wood-stained finish, partially sanded to expose the material texture beneath. The cabinet’s modular aluminium frame contrasts with the baroque expressiveness of the façade, offering a playful tension between machine precision and organic form.

Exhibited as part of A Tree Full of Splinters (Everyday Gallery, Antwerp), the piece reflects the artists’ broader inquiry into wood as both material and concept, questioning the authenticity of the handmade when confronted with algorithmic mimicry. By merging craft with computation, Schimmel & Schweikle blur the line between real and simulated - inviting the viewer to rethink how cultural and technological shifts reshape design.

GW3993