For the Latvian design exhibition 89th Second, currently on view at Expo 2025 in Osaka, the studio Gateris Works has created the Freckle Chair — a tribute to all the wood that the furniture industry classifies as «lower grade». Drawing parallels with the beauty and fashion industries, the designers call for diversity to become the norm in the design and furniture industry as well. 89th Second is part of the European Union’s exhibition Design Beyond Things, which highlights the transformative power of design by bringing together 35 of Europe’s most innovative designers.
Gateris Works argues that our understanding of beauty has changed over the last decade — unique looks and diversity of bodies have become the driving force behind the fashion and beauty industries. However, diversity is still rare in furniture making. This not only prevents us from discovering new aesthetics but also contributes to wasteful use of resources.
Although wood is inherently a sustainable material, only a small portion of it is considered «good enough» for furniture production — uniform, without knots, colour variations, insect damage, or other traces left by the natural growth process. Everything else is used for plywood production or chipped, robbing us of the opportunity to appreciate the diverse beauty of wood.
The Freckle Chair challenges this practice by highlighting the decorative qualities of knotty and imperfect solid pine wood. By drawing attention to the beauty of «lower grade» timber, Gateris Works invites us to reflect on how much wood we unjustifiably write off as «ugly». The Freckle Chair is not only a functional seat but also a call to action — the beauty of wood, like the beauty of the human body, lies in its diversity.
The chair’s robust form continues Gateris Works’ exploration of design expression, which draws inspiration from vernacular carpentry. The somewhat naive form language, presented in a modern and elegant way, gives voice to a new yet familiar aesthetic that contrasts with the constant search for novelty in design.
About 89th Second
The Latvian design exhibition 89th Second explores humanity’s fragile relationship with nature, interpreting one of Latvia’s national symbols — the pine tree — in different ways. The Freckle chair is displayed alongside the Sky-Set light by designer Dace Sūna, which is inspired by dendrochronology — the study of climate history using tree rings — and embodies the beauty of our atmosphere through the Rayleigh scattering effect. The exhibition also features the PineSkins pouf by Studio Sarmīte — a functional yet abstract object covered with an innovative pine bark material created by the designer.
«Although the questions we raise and our design approaches differ, the works complement each other perfectly. Participation in Expo is not only an opportunity to spark discussion on issues we consider vital but also a chance to highlight the potential of Latvian design — particularly in Japan, with which we share a similar view of the interaction between nature, people, and craft,» adds Eva Abduļina from Gateris Works .
The title of the Latvian exhibition, 89th Second, refers to the Doomsday Clock, which currently stands at 89 seconds to midnight: a symbolic measure of humanity’s proximity to a human-made global catastrophe. The works on display invite audiences to reflect on our shared responsibility towards nature and the environment, showing how design and creativity can contribute to addressing global challenges.
89th Second is part of the European Union’s official exhibition Design Beyond Things, which invites visitors of Expo 2025 Osaka to reflect on the lexicon of contemporary European design at a time of profound social change and urgent need for a new hope for the future. Selected by curators Patrizia Catalano and Miriam Giordano, the exhibition brings together works by 30 of the most innovative and creative designers from 17 EU member states, emphasising design’s transformative power — from circularity and sustainable production to reclaiming local and global identity.
The exhibition Design Beyond Things in Osaka will be on view until September 13. It will take place in a hybrid format: some works will be presented physically, while others will be shown digitally. The EU Pavilion will showcase works by thirteen designers, while the contributions from Latvia and Lithuania will be exhibited in the Baltic Pavilion.
The participation of Latvian designers in Design Beyond Things is organised by the Latvian Design Centre, which is responsible for the conceptual and practical implementation of the exhibition in the Baltic Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Japan. The project is financially supported by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, and the State Culture Capital Foundation.
Viedokļi