The past and future potential of pine resin

"Remembering, Forgetting" is a continuation of Marks' ongoing research into pine resin - a material that is naturally secreted by pine, fir and cedar trees once their bark is damaged, and which can be harvested over the lifetime of a tree without harming it.

Through historical and practical research, the project scrutinises why many applications of this versatile material have been forgotten and what advantages it brings when they are rediscovered and transferred to a contemporary context.

Furthermore, the project deals with more profound questions of our material culture: it focusses on the origin of materials, the consequences of their extraction and the extent of processing necessary for usability. This is why all the pieces are made exclusively from natural materials that are minimally processed, biodegradable, a carbon sink and can be found near Pforzheim. In particular, Jacob Marks explored the combination of resins with textiles to produce a range of lamps, handles and vessels.

Jacob Marks is a designer and creator based in London, Great Britain. He specialises in the design of furniture and objects. His work centres on the reinterpretation of natural materials - often those that are overlooked or dismissed as insignificant - from which he creates striking, contemporary works. Central to his practice is an exploration of the landscapes from which the materials originate and how design can be used as a tool to address complex social and environmental challenges.

In 2024 Jacob Marks was nominated for the Design Museum's Ralph Saltzman Prize. His work has been published in Crafts Magazine, Wallpaper Magazine, Design Milk and by Somerset House, among others.