MAKE: me(n)tal

Lustre

By Melvin Ong

"Lustre" captures the ethereal beauty and accentuates the softer character of metal. Sculpted aluminium petals are coated with an adhesive, and are gently dusted with aluminium shavings—once discarded remnants, now reborn with purpose. These shavings, when illuminated, shimmer and dance, scattering light through the petals and casting mesmerising patterns and a soft, diffused glow. The floral-inspired reflectors bridge the chasm between industrial craftsmanship and nature's grace, transforming raw remnants of metal into a celebration of its inherent lustre and timeless beauty.

‍

Lift Lamp

By Tan Wei Xiang

The Lift Lamp offers users a fresh perspective on metal as a medium. Externally, it resembles a ceramic sculpture or tableware. However, lifting the shade reveals a polished steel surface that reflects the internal light, showcasing the true nature of the material. This design highlights the versatility of metal, which can be used for structural, hardware, and aesthetic purposes.

‍

Palette Patina

By Edmund Zhang

Palette Patina imagines a world where beauty is found in the unexpected, particularly in what is typically considered undesirable, such as rust and patina. By applying a chemical solution to copper and mild steel, the natural patina-forming process—normally taking months or even years—is accelerated. This process uncovers the various stages of patina development, highlighting the evolving interaction between these metals and their environment, and revealing surprising colors and textures that emerge over time.

‍

Brass Bloks

By Samuel Woo

Modular sculptural blocks that can be (re)arranged to hold keys, stationery or small tchotchkes. Each piece is precision machined from solid brass stock and lightly finished by hand.

‍

Chance

By Chong Jo Ee & Kennerve Tan

Embodying the ethos of value, the Chance pendant lamp reimagines discarded metal scraps from Tuas factories. These remnants, meticulously trimmed and treated, are reborn as captivating interior art pieces, merging sustainability with industrial allure. Each lamp tells a story of transformation and the beauty of second chances.

‍

The 'Metallic' Cube

By Sim Hao Jie

The 'Metallic' Cube invites you to explore the hidden materiality of everyday objects. At first glance, it appears to be a simple mirror cube, but each side tells a different story. These 'metallic' materials, often disguised under similar finishes, surround us—do we notice them? Do we truly know the materials we use & consume?

‍

On the cube, one face gleams with polished stainless steel, another shines with electroplated ABS plastic, while others feature mirror silver nitrate on acrylic, chrome spray on polycarbonate, vacuum metalised aluminium, and anodised aluminium. Can you spot the differences?

‍

Thirteen

By Anthony Yu

Thirteen is a testament to the exploration of universal joinery systems for metal furniture instead of typical joining methods such as welding or adhesives. This stool embodies simplicity and precision, engineered to be assembled with just one tool. Its sleek aluminum construction not only offers a contemporary aesthetic but also celebrates the harmony between form and function. The minimalist design and friendly assembly process reflect a thoughtful approach to modern living, making this stool a versatile addition to any space.

‍

Bow Vessel

By Kevin Chiam

Fashioned from stock, stainless-steel extrusion, Bow is formed with minimal, subtractive metal shaping techniques to reduce waste. 2 linear incisions split a corner of the extruded form, which is later arched outwards on a metalworking anvil, forming a vessel with a convenient spout. A base is welded on and the artefact is mirror polished after. Bow presents a distinct yet modest silhouette, highlighting artisanal craftsmanship and the beauty of extruded metal.

‍

Aluminium's Self Portrait

By Kevin Chiam

Aluminium oxide, which is a common ingredient used in cosmetics such as lipsticks, is ironically regarded as undesirable when it forms on aluminium foil over time. Hence, to challenge people’s perception of beauty, an ordinary roll of foil is transformed into a canvas which celebrates the deep, natural patina of aluminium oxide; it is placed in a controlled chamber to accelerate oxidation by regulating moisture, temperature and airflow. Aluminium oxide can subsequently be harvested from the foil roll, lab-purified and used in cosmetics.

‍

Time Teller

By Kevin Chiam

A calibrated, homopolar motor moves magically when placed on a thin aluminium sheet, transforming the battery-magnet construction into a time telling paraphernalia as each revolution is timed to a single second. However, as the energy in the cell depletes, the motor eventually comes to a complete stop, poetically signalling that its time is up. The Time Teller embraces electromagnetism and leverages opposing magnetic fields to propel and create controlled motion, which in turn is suitably used to capture the passage of time.