Ma-tt-er Presents: Wooden Matters
This London Design Festival 21st – 24th September, we will be focusing on one material and taking you through the processes and future potentials of wood in collaboration with Blackhorse Workshop.
Wood is much more than just a tree. In this series of talks, workshops, and demonstrations we are asking how this material can be pushed past tradition, past common knowledge and past standard use. How can wood be relevant to the moment and speak to the future?
The Future Craftsmen
How do you re-evaluate woodworking?
Talk with Rob Penn Wednesday 21st September 7pm – 9pm
Craftsman Robert Penn made over 40 objects from one single ash tree. This led him on a journey to discover the ancient skills, knowledge and techniques of the ash. Join Robert as he talks through his explorations on the history, science and craft of what it means to use every part of an ash tree.
Wood as Energy
Can wood be used to generate energy?
Talk with James Kong Director of ALP Technologies Thursday 22nd September 7pm – 9pm
Currently in development at Blackhorse Workshop, ALP Technologies are in the business of renewable energy – generating electricity from wood pellets. Encouraging a local circular economy, ALP’s system is taking a new approach to regional electricity and sustainability. Come join their team and see their process of changing wood to energy.
Book tickets here
Alternative Joinery
Are plastic bottles the joinery of the future?
Workshop with Micaella Pedros Friday 23rd September 7pm – 9pm
Plastic bottles hide an incredible property : under heat, they shrink. Micaella Pedros, a social and humanitarian designer based in London, put two and two together and began to use scavenged plastic to join wood together and create functional structures. Join Micaella to learn and build different joinery techniques with PET plastics.
Book tickets here
Indigo Stain
How can natural dye be used to stain wood?
Workshop with Hazel Stark Saturday 24th September 1pm – 3pm
London based textile and indigo designer Hazel Stark, pushes the boundaries of natural dyeing past fabric. Her practice has evolved to utilising Japanese indigo to stain wood. Her process uses a dipping method into a vat of dye. This age old technique will be combined with &Sons‘ crafted wooden specimens using a variety of woods. Join Hazel in learning and creating your very own naturally dyed wooden keyring.
Book tickets here
Kerfing Wood
How can wood be made flexible?
Workshop with Lola Lely Saturday 24th September 2pm – 4pm
Artist, designer and maker Lola Lely will be exploring the craft of wood unexpected ways by using a kerfing process. Bending wood and making the sturdy material into a flexible one without the use of steaming or pre-soaking. Come and join Lola in producing a series of sculptural forms of kerf wood.
Book tickets here
Closing Party
Saturday 24th September 6pm – 12am
Food from Allihopa Scandinavian inspired home smoked food. A selection of hot and cold oak smoked fish and meats. Allihopa are smoked fish producers Jake and Sam, who have taken inspiration from age old smoking and preserving methods.
They specialise in producing cold smoked Norfolk trout from their hand built smoke-house and have been serving the lunch crowd on the streets of London as members of Kerb for the past year.
Smaklig måltid!’
Left Bank Brewery A micro brewery based at The Fermentarium within Blackhorse Workshop offers an experimental approach which allows them to create unique flavour sensations. Smoked We’ll be serving their Smoked Saison beer Incognito 7%
Music all night to dance the night away.