Tereza Kupčíková
The Secrets of the Tree
FSC-certified ash timber and ash shavings produced during the timber processing stage, combined with bioplastic
The Secrets of the Tree explores the hidden beauty and potential of wood by combining solid timber with wood shavings preserved in bioplastic. Transforming a material often overlooked into a central design feature, the project extends the lifecycle of timber while revealing the richness, character, and individuality of the material. Through light, texture, grain, and colour, the work celebrates the unique qualities of timber, encourages a deeper appreciation of natural resources, and challenges conventional perceptions of material value.
The collection consists of a contemporary cabinet and a lighting installation, both exploring the relationship between timber, light, and material innovation.
The cabinet, inspired by traditional curio cabinets, combines solid Ash timber with three distinct arrangements of wood shavings embedded within translucent bioplastic panels. Integrated lighting enhances the visual depth of the material, revealing grain patterns, textures, and tonal variations that often remain unseen. By combining solid timber with delicate wood shavings, the piece reveals contrasting expressions of the same material, showing how one tree can exist in different states, strong and structural as well as fragile and translucent, while still retaining its unique identity.
The accompanying lighting installation further explores the relationship between light and material. As illumination passes through layers of wood shavings, delicate details emerge, creating a dynamic visual experience that shifts between daylight and darker surroundings. Through experimentation with the thickness and arrangement of the shavings, the work uncovers characteristics of the timber that are usually overlooked, highlighting the richness found within even its smallest fragments.
By bringing together traditional woodworking techniques and contemporary material exploration, The Secrets of the Tree demonstrates how a single natural material can express both strength and delicacy. The contrast between solid timber and translucent bioplastic elements reveals different identities within the same source, offering a fresh perspective on the enduring beauty, versatility, and potential of wood. Through this approach, the project invites viewers to reconsider what is worth preserving and to discover value in aspects of the material that often go unnoticed, revealing the inherent richness, variation, and expressive qualities carried within the tree itself.
