A craft steeped in tradition is reinterpreted: In collaboration with Yéol’s 2020 Artisan of the Year Jung Choon Mo, design Studio Word proposes a lighting collection that puts a new spin on classic gat.
The gat lighting collection results from this collaboration between the studio and the renowned artisan. Jung Choon Mo is a certified national gat maker and has mastered the traditional process of gannil (gat making) for over 50 years. Skillfully blending tradition and modernity, the collection consists of a series of pendants and table lamps that combine minimalist aesthetics and detailed craftsmanship.
Gat is a traditional male attire (see one here) that originated in ancient Korea and represents the dignity and decorum of the classical scholar. In its function as a garment and headgear to protect from the sun, the gat is mainly made of horsehair and bamboo. Depending on the intended use, the designs of this classic accessory vary. The gat most familiar to Korean audiences is the black heukrip, finished in ink and lacquer. The shape of the classic gat stands out for its linear proportionality.
The gat lighting collection skillfully picks up these traditional elements and interprets them in a contemporary way. Countless hand-woven bamboo fibers reveal the fine grain and, when combined with lighting, create a unique atmosphere that conveys both tradition and modern sensibility. Made of high-quality materials such as dyed and lacquered bamboo, brass, gold-plated iron, and stainless steel, the collection impresses with its delicate and aesthetic look.
Studio Word was founded in 2018 by Kyuhyung Cho and Jungyou Choi and is based in both Seoul and Europe. The versatile design studio has made a name for itself in graphic, product, furniture, and spatial design, striving to develop a creative and useful design language based on close observation and discovery of their surroundings and objects. Studio Word’s work is characterized by a comprehensive understanding of tradition and modernity, as well as their commitment to always bringing fresh perspectives and sincerity to their designs.
