singchan x of gaaarden
The Concept: An Awakening in Nature
In March, we collaborated with the visionary designer brand SINGCHAN to present a limited-time exhibition themed "Fresh" at of gaaarden. For SINGCHAN, a brand deeply invested in the temporality of ordinary objects, this exhibition marked a return to its roots in Guangzhou. The concept of "Fresh" (or "Awakening") reflects our connection with the world, encouraging us to follow nature's intrinsic frequencies and respond to the changing environment. Our goal was to strip away the complexities of urban life and return to a pure, natural state, capturing the vital energy of new beginnings amidst the shifting seasons.
The Collision: Rational Light Meets Spring Flora
At the heart of the exhibition was SINGCHAN’s Fragment lighting series. Known for its soft yet composed aesthetic, the series evokes a psychological certainty while yearning for distant horizons. To challenge the typically sharp and rational perception of SINGCHAN’s work, we introduced a vibrant clash of spring flowers, seasonal fruits, and plants directly sourced from our garden. In a nod to sustainability and urban evolution, we upcycled discarded branches from the post-Spring Festival period, suspending them using industrial butterfly trusses—a recurring metaphor in our design vocabulary. This installation effectively "moved" the garden indoors, allowing the fleeting, fragile beauty of the lights to intertwine with the robust vitality of nature.
The Presentation: Reimagining Design Boundaries
The final presentation offered a completely refreshed impression of SINGCHAN's collection. Three Fragment #02 chandeliers were clustered like upward-growing branches, their wires forming natural "vines" where greenery and flowers freely bloomed. The seemingly cold Fragment #08 chandelier was transformed into a vivid "flower bud," its bulb glowing like a stamen through refracted light. Contrasting this lively awakening, the Border series—featuring the minimalist UT sofa and the historically inspired Thewall coffee table—anchored the black space with profound serenity. This collaboration revealed the boundless possibilities of furniture, space, and materials, and we look forward to sparking more creative collisions at of gaaarden in the future.
