Yuma Kano Showcases the Beauty of Rust through Furniture Design | Rust Harvest Chair

FDT Bureau

Design studio Yuma Kano’s experimental project takes a fascinating turn on furniture design through Rust Harvest. Rust Harvest emerges as an experimental materials venture centered on the enigmatic allure of rust. Often viewed as an industrial adversary, rust’s destructive capabilities have impacted various domains, from transportation to construction. However, within its seemingly malevolent presence lies a realm of intricate patterns and captivating hues that intrigue us. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

Driven by the belief that rust’s inherent beauty can be harnessed, the studio embarked on a journey to transform this natural process into a prolific source of inspiration. The team’s technique involved skillfully extracting rust from metal plates using acrylic resin. These plates then undergo exposure to the elements – light, rain, earth and seawater – fostering rust formation. The harvested rust, akin to an agricultural yield, is then subjected to further weathering, creating a cycle of production.

Beyond its visual allure, the acrylic-resin-encased rust holds a moment frozen in time, encapsulating years of natural transformation. This material lends itself to an array of possibilities – from products to interior design and construction – owing to its resemblance to conventional acrylic resin.

Yuma Kano’s Rust Harvest Chair collection presents distinct furniture pieces, each a testament to the Rust Harvest project’s evolution. The acrylic resin refracts light through the rust, imparting an almost extraterrestrial soil-like quality. By incorporating fragments of the original metals (iron for red, copper for blue), the team facilitates a comparison to the source. The untreated metal sheets contribute a raw aesthetic, evolving over time to mirror the material within the acrylic.

Rust, metal and acrylic intertwine, creating a fascinating interplay between nature and craftsmanship. The resulting furniture embodies a sculptural essence, bridging the gap between the organic and the human-made. Through Rust Harvest, the studio redefines the concept of decay, celebrating the artistry that emerges from transformation.

Project details

Design: Yuma Kano
Material: Acrylic resin, steel, aluminium, copper, rust
Image credit: Somewhere Tokyo