Everyone protects themselves against influences from the outside world; not only from heat and cold, but also from other disturbances. Textiles create protective boundaries between the body and its surroundings that, with their optical and tactile characteristics, are often seen as a second skin.
The metaphor of protective skin can be translated into different areas, discovering the largest variety of skins in the world of plants. Viburnum and rhododendron leaves were researched as a bionic principle for this collection, studying the microscopic analysis of their fine, delicate double sided leaf structures.
The epidermis is covered with a protective waxy layer, preventing the plant from getting saturated but also from drying out. The underside has a soft, hairy texture to protect the plant from any damage from insects and weather.
The main focus of this collection was to create double sided surfaces that gain their functionality with the combination of flax and wool fibres; one side is smooth, water and dirt repellent whereas the other side is soft, warm and insulating.
collaboration with lithuanian linen company “siulas”
pictures by dovile sermokas
model aiste vitkauske
The bark of tree, was selected as a source of inspiration because it has a rough scale haptic. The protective function of bark is inherent to it’s surface structure. It is multilayered, with the outer layer protecting the tree from the environment, solar radiation, cold, heat, and dehydration. The influence of these factors is clearly shown on the bark’s surface.
This collection has two approaches: one is the human perception of the cortex (the layer directly below the bark’s epidermis), with rough, rugged, solid characteristics. The seconds is a microscopic analysis of cambium layer.
The knit surfaces are formed with porous, elastic structures. The use of special Pemotex- and Recytex yarns mixed with sheep’s wool, heckling combs, and steel wool allows a translucent, perforated, elastic, multilayered knitted fabric. Fabrics made from these materials are heat resistant, soundabsorbing, and flameretardant.
collaboration with trevira cs and recytex
work in process pictures by dovile sermokas
the project investigates the unused resources of flax fibres and shows their diverse properties. These are interesting not only on a functional level (breathability, moisture regulation, sound absorption) or ecological level (sustainability, low energy footprint, biodegradability), but also as impulses for a creative debate that takes up its cultural significance and introduces it into new contexts. Last but not least, the strength of this practice-led research work lies also in the relationship between industrial and craft forms of productions, which have been incorporated into the project through cooperation with a Lithuanian linen factory, a paper manufacture in Berlin and the Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI).
The processing of the long flax fibre into high quality linen fibres produces high amounts of tow (Hechelwerg) -a by-product, which is considered to be a low-grade substance in the textile sector. The focus of this work is a creative and practical investigation of this waste material in order to discover its potential for more sustainable textile design and production. Through the employment of zero-waste strategies, the central question of the work is how an uneven and unconventional material can be controlled in such a way that both certain processing methods and quality levels can be defined.
The textile construction techniques used stand in close relationship between material, yarn and surface. Different “stages” of flax enter into new combinations revealing its varied senso-aesthetic and functional qualities yet remaining strictly a mono-material. The resulting surfaces can serve well for various applications ranging from product and textile design to sound absorption and humidity regulation in the room offering ecological and economic benefits.
pictures by Dovile Sermokas
model Aiste Vitkauske
video by Migle Maciunaite
collaboration with saxon textile research institute(stfi), berlin paper manufactory, lithuanian linen company “siulas”
Working and living in a contemporary building with large windows can be challenging at times as these tend to heat up extensively during hot summers. This also creates the issue of high energy consumption due to the necessity of cooling down the building. Rhombus Reflection shading system addresses this problem and offers an unique flexible and aesthetic solution to it. The shading system consists of multiple modules, each module having a rhombus shape and cosisting of two layers: a thin PVC foil base and a thin PVC frame holding a thin metal sheet within it as well as an integrated memory alloy wire.
Upon heating the integrated memory alloy wire changes its shape in a pre-set way thus acting as an artificial muscle for each module causing them to open and close depending on the ambient temperature fluctuations. Throughout the day the modules absorb heat of the sun causing the modules to open and face outward. After the sun has gone down and the wire has cooled, the modules make the reverse movement and open toward the inside. Thanks to the integrated shape change technology the modules can adjust and move, open and close.
In addition the individual modules are coated with a thermochromic dye using a special mixture of pigment and paste that makes the coating stable and water resistant. This makes the surface to react to heat in visual ways by going through a fluctuating colour change gradually if the temperature rises above 23 C as a visual thermometer.
Rhombus Reflection facade system protects inside of the building from direct sun light and overheating offering a dynamic shading solution for contemporary architecture.
The idea for the plates transporter was developed using a paper model. The plates transporter is made from wool felt. The plates are gently embedded and protected. Felt is insulated well and can be preheated to keep the plates warm longer. It is very variable: You can open it as a tablecloth or use as placemat store for plates. This design object is usefull for transporting the plates.
The poster was created and strickly knitted for the Shaun the Sheep DVD release event in Berlin. It was organised for the kids. They created handmade flowers and hanged it on the huge knitted poster of the Shaun on the stage.
Together with the DVD release cooperative partners Media Markt, Studio Canal and RADIO TEDDY it went from Alexa Stage to Berlin ́s main Bookstore Dussmann.
collaboration with neverest informationslogistik
pictures by dovile sermokas
The idea of the project is a game with main colours from the colour circle. It is based on the memory game system. The cards have two sides: one is black and the other had two colours. These two colours are opposite to each other depending where they stand in the colour circle. Every card has its own pair.
While playing the game you can learn the main colours and which ones are opposite to them.
Corporate project with Bára Finnsdóttír
Cotton fabric was hand dyed to capture the surrounding colours in the floor and wall. The fabrics were sewed together to form a cover over an old acoustic curtain. Velcro strips were used to attach the new curtain onto the old one that enables it to be removed and cleaned if necessary.
Made for UFO Studios. Berlin, Germany 2019
Made in a collaboration with Bára Finnsdóttír
Custom made cover for a grand piano. It is double sided with an applied logo on the side and a slit opening at the back.
Material: Synthetic leather, synthetic velvet.
Made for UFO Studios, Berlin, Germany, 2016.
Made in a collaboration with bára finnsdóttír.
I was always interested in the symbolism and patterns of Baltic culture.That is the reason why it is the main theme of my flag.
As a starting point I have chosen different symbols and different compositions accor ding to the importance and tradition. In my development of ideas one can find differ- ent geometric shapes that relate to the mythology and the folk customs of my country Lithuania.
The main technique of the flag is patchwork. In the center of it there is a circle which merges in the shape of a rhombus. In this project the color has a special value. There is a whole palette of deep earth tones. I used Natural colour (blue wood). The patterns with the figures drawn with the Plangitechnik.
One of the tradition is in the evening to lit many
candles as a symbol of the sun and warmth. It is a farewell for the sun and an early preparation for the
cold winter months. The music of the horns stands for the summer which is played inalternation with the harps sym- bolizing the winter. Everything comes from the outside to the inside. Symbols in the Äquinoktium flag: Circle of the Sun and the Earth; abstracted figures antrophomorph, zoomorphic , rhombus, triangle deeper Sphäeren and magic, swastikas fire.
