The Moss People by Kim Simonsson at Design\Miami 2015 & 2016
Kim Simonsson first caught my eye when he was exhibited in Design Miami December 2015, as a part of Jason Jacques Gallery. His three little creatures called Moss People were a sensation and became the Social Media Stars of the show.
Simonsson appeared in Design Miami again in 2016, with more Moss People beautifully displayed in a cross laminated timber wood, open room display of Jacques' Gallery. Inspired by Japanese boxes.
This booth was a project of Digifabshop. A New-York based digital fabrication company. They worked with panels of CLT from D.R. Johnson to build the rapidly re-assembled free standing rooms
“Cross laminated timber really is on the forefront of design,” said John Redfield, D.R. Johnson Wood Innovations chief operating officer. “It is exciting to see this product be embraced by the architecture community and that folks like Digifabshop are using it to do something new. Exposure at Design Miami puts CLT on the map and hopefully front of mind for designers thinking about sustainable building.”
Kim Simonsson's Moss People were displayed organically in the CLT structure.
His green creatures are fresh and inspiring yet intriguing and mysterious.
"My sculptures are usually very sleek and smooth. Pieces at Moss People are rougher and more personal. You can see my handprint in them," Simonsson told TL mag. "The nylon coating also works well when the surface of the sculpture is slightly coarser and you can see that it's handmade."
Photo by Nadia Bouzid - Design Miami 2016 || Moss People || Kim Simonsson
“Born in 1974 in Helsinki, Finland, Simonsson uses traditional techniques to create sensitive and surreal painted ceramic sculptures. His sculptures combine innocent animal and child forms with a twist of violence and suspense to create a monumental physical presence. “Authority in its many forms fascinates me and in my works I want to reverse the common beliefs by making the weak powerful,” says Simonsson. This acclaimed young Finnish ceramic sculptor’s work has already been collected by over 20 important museums and foundations. Beware, not for the boring or faint of heart.”
Photo by Nadia Bouzid - Design Miami 2016 || Moss People || Kim Simonsson
Photo by Nadia Bouzid - Design Miami 2016 || Moss People || Kim Simonsson
Kim Simonsson's Works
Photo Courtesy of Jason Jacques Gallery || SLEEPING MOSSWOMAN || KIM SIMONSSON || 90" H X 80" W X 50" D || SIK012 || 2015
DESCRIPTION
INVENTORY NUMBER SIK012
SIZE 90" H X 80" W X 50" D
MATERIAL CERAMIC, NYLON FIBRE, WOODEN CHAIR
PERIOD CONTEMPORARY
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FINLAND
YEAR MADE 2015
Photo Courtesy of Jason Jacques Gallery || MOSSBOY WITH PACK || KIM SIMONSSON || 35.43 INCHES || SIK044 || 2016
DESCRIPTION
Using young, imaginary, and sweet-looking figures in an effort to explore fantasy, juvenile dissent, and nihilism, Simonsson's work is unlike no other in contemporary art pottery. His "Moss People" series features characters such as this boy carrying a backpack. This example, as for many other ones, is covered in a monochromatic green coating, which resembles moss.
Description obtained from Jason Jacques Gallery