Flexible light and sound cushioning material
When the International Center of Photography approached Matter to design an installation for presenting isolated audio/visual works for an exhibition, they devised a strategy for producing extremely lightweight, semi-rigid sound and light isolating panels requiring minimal structure for support. The panels can be assembled into a wide range of plastic forms—with easy field trimming and modification—to create rooms, screens, sculptures, seating, or wall surfacing.
While the material sourced for the initial test application was a particular density and color of polyethylene foam (typically used as plumbing pipe insulation), the panels can be fabricated out of any foam that can be sliced into rings. The shape of the aggregate and the direction and density in which it is pushed through the support netting causes the panels to have a slight outward bow, giving the panels structural rigidity and an voluminous expression.
Contact: Matter Practice, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
For more information, see Transmaterial 3: A Catalog of Materials that Redefine our Physical Environment
