How the softer approach can lead to happiness
“We live in a concrete jungle. As soon as I started to work with concrete, I envisioned new possibilities to enrich the experience of living within an urban environment. In 2018, I pitched ‘Happy Concrete’ to two friends. The idea was to create a more sensory experience of the dull material we see every single day. We started by focusing on products like planters, side tables and wall tiles. Using color and texture, we created ‘happier’ expressions of the most used material in the world. This was when I really started on the path to fulfill my playful side.”
11 February 2023
Art
THE IWAN POL EFFECT
Iwan Pol has a straight-forward design ethos: create playful products that ignite curiosity. Challenging the norm and viewing things differently are undoubtedly the antidote to the Rotterdam-based designer’s success. Always, with a side of playfulness. Always, with a side of color. We spoke with our fifth Art of RAW collaborator to find out more.
- FEATURED ARTIST
- IWAN POL
Turning the Mundane into Magic
Rockin’ Denim
From denim waste to denim world
“For The Art of RAW, my designs combine indigo pigmented concrete with denim waste. Each piece is a suggestion of something functional within our living environment. I’ve always enjoyed trying out new, experimental production techniques and it was the same for this project. Denim, a flexible material, can have many shapes. I wanted to capture its movements using concrete. So, after trying out various techniques, I translated three types of movement onto three functional objects. Showing different scales of possible applications was a guiding factor. The wall covering sample I produced focuses on architecture. Within a space that could have those walls, I designed a coffee table with a different material effect. Finally, on the smallest scale, is the more decorative item; the vase. And together they create this denim world.”
“For The Art of RAW, my designs combine indigo pigmented concrete with denim waste. Each piece is a suggestion of something functional within our living environment. I’ve always enjoyed trying out new, experimental production techniques and it was the same for this project. Denim, a flexible material, can have many shapes. I wanted to capture its movements using concrete. So, after trying out various techniques, I translated three types of movement onto three functional objects. Showing different scales of possible applications was a guiding factor. The wall covering sample I produced focuses on architecture. Within a space that could have those walls, I designed a coffee table with a different material effect. Finally, on the smallest scale, is the more decorative item; the vase. And together they create this denim world.”
A Change of Concrete Heart
Investigating the relationship with the planet’s most used material
"Concrete had been at the core of what I do for so many years, aiming to become the ‘Concrete Man of the Netherlands.’ But I realized that, playfulness was closer to me than the material. It made me take a step back and focus on the interactive moments that people have within their surroundings. Of course, I can still work with concrete but it’s more focused on the physical experience that ignites curiosity about your environment. That’s the goal within my work now. Letting concrete go a little bit feels like it can become so much more. It’s a recent revelation for me.”
"Concrete had been at the core of what I do for so many years, aiming to become the ‘Concrete Man of the Netherlands.’ But I realized that, playfulness was closer to me than the material. It made me take a step back and focus on the interactive moments that people have within their surroundings. Of course, I can still work with concrete but it’s more focused on the physical experience that ignites curiosity about your environment. That’s the goal within my work now. Letting concrete go a little bit feels like it can become so much more. It’s a recent revelation for me.”