Wolfgang Laib’s Pollen from Hazelnut — a fascinating installation made out of the tiny particles that he’s been collecting from the natural environment around his home and studio in a small village in Southern Germany since the mid-90s — opens today in MoMA’s Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium. Why pollen? Well, Laib has stated that “pollen is the potential beginning of the life of the plant. It is as simple, as beautiful, and as complex as this. And of course it has so many meanings. I think everybody who lives knows that pollen is important.”
Because we couldn’t be more intrigued by the idea of making things out of plants and pollen, we thought we’d take a look to see if any everyday objects might exist in this vein. From furniture made out of freeze-dried flowers to a stool embedded with mushroom spores click through to check out some surprisingly awesome designs made out of really unusual natural materials.
Harvest Table made out of freeze-dried flowers by Asif Khan
Image credit: Abitare
Harvest Chair made out of freeze-dried plants by Asif Khan
Image credit: Tumblr Radar Archive
Growing Chair made out of Russian vines and willow branches by Michael Bussien
Image credit: inhabitat
Stool embedded with mushroom spores by Shinwei Rhoda Yen
Image credit: Mushrooms Ate My Furniture
Arbor Chair made out of a tree trunk by Peter Jakubik
Image credit: dezeen
Pussy Lawn chair made from coconut fiber and seeds by Luis Eslava
Image credit: Inspiration of the Nation
Layer Chair made out of coconut fibers by Jorrit Taekema
Image credit: designboom
Dandelion Light by Lonneke Gordijn
Image credit: dezeen
Garlic vase by Studio Jo Meesters
Image credit: Studio Jo Meesters
Bath Rug made out of moss by Nguyen la Chanh
Image credit: MAKE ZINE