Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten

Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten @johlemo (Berlin, Germany) is a designer and researcher whose work sits at the intersection of material innovation, circular design, and ecological storytelling. Finalist of our 9th edition, Johanna’s collection Embark transforms pine bark — often discarded — into a sophisticated medium for sustainable accessories. Through meticulous study and experimentation, she elevates its natural structure into objects where function and poetry coexist. Drawing inspiration from traditional craftsmanship and the quiet precision of Japanese joinery, Embark is a tribute to design where nothing is superfluous. Each piece is shaped by the material itself, embracing purpose-driven beauty and a slower, more thoughtful rhythm of creation. With a background rooted in research and collaboration — from the Max Planck Institute to Humboldt University — Johanna’s practice imagines a future where materials not only serve, but also speak. ✨ Are you ready to share your story with the world? The next edition is coming at the end of this year.

Tools used to peel pine bark photo @kirakaethebecker @charlett_wenig

Peeling bark from trees that were cut down for wood processing.

We warmly invite you to the opening of »Vegetal Companions«, an event series at @spaetharboretum of @humboldt.uni , curated by Robert Stock and Rahel Kesselring (@rahel.kesselring ) in collaboration with Maja Avnat (@majavnat ), Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten (@johlemo ) and Emma Sicher (@seeker_biodesign ). Opening Event 
Tue, 13 May 2025, 4:00–7:00 pm, Späth-Arboretum
with a performative lecture (in German) by Rahel Kesselring and Maja Avnat
 Please register via the link in our bio! Focusing on the agency of plant and tree collectives and their ability to shape entire ecologies, artists and researchers aim to critically reposition conventional human-centered concepts that highlight control and mastery over nature. By understanding nonhuman organisms as vegetal companions, the aim is to trouble linear timescales and cultural imaginaries. In times of global uncertainty, such vegetal companions – including the sites and soils where they dwell – urge us to speculate about possible future scenarios of sustainable coexistence. Join us for the opening of the »Vegetal Companions« event series and experience the launch of the open-air installation »Planted Archives«, a living artwork in the garden of Späth-Arboretum by Rahel Kesselring and Maja Avnat. We're looking forward to welcoming you at Späth-Arboretum! Image: Ailanthus altissima. Musée national d’histoire Luxembourg, title: specimen No. 15467, MNHNL 2000, licence: CC BY 4.0, color and framing of this image were modified #matterfestival2025 #morethanhuman #plant #plantedarchives #arboretum #arboreal #baumschule #tree #fermentation #bark #forest #scoby #sustainablity #wisskomm #wissenschaftskommunikation #scicomm

Semispheres (2023) folded pine bark

"Bark glazes" aim to utilize industrial bark residues sustainably by incorporating them into glaze production. In this way, bark can become a valuable material for creating unique glaze surfaces. In the wood industry, much of the tree bark is burned, producing bark ash that is rarely repurposed. Bark has a significantly higher ash content—over 10% in some wood species—compared to wood itself. This ash is rich in minerals, making it a valuable resource for glaze production. Historically, ash has been used to enhance color and texture in glazes. Depending on its chemical composition, ash from different plants can produce a variety of colors and effects. Initial tests using bark ash in transparent glazes revealed natural hues ranging from yellow and brown to blue-green. The chemical variability of bark, both within and across species, allows for unique results. #bark #materials #ceramics #design Photo: @johlemo @maxplanckgesellschaft @mattersofactivity

pine bark globe 2022 vs. 2024 @charlett_wenig @mattersofactivity @mpici_potsdam

🌳The MoA Design Research Studio »Syntopia — Harvesting the Forest« investigated how materials collected in the forest can be formed into architectural structures. Such materials can for example be branches, leaves, moss, bark, grass or even earth. The term ›syntopic‹ (noun: ›syntopy‹) was brought forth by Luis Rene Rivas in 1964 and refers to the inhabitation of the same »macrohabitat« by »two or more related species«. The term is a combination of the Greek words ›syn‹ meaning together and ›topos‹ meaning place. To develop ›Syntopia‹ means to create designs sourced from and situated within a specific site — a topos. 🪜The MoA Design Research Studio was structured in three successive phases. Phase 1 engaged in the speculative design of »Stories of Syntopia«. Phase 2 introduced harvesting, analyzing, making and recording in »Designing Syntopia«. In phase 3, we shared our vision and our designs with a wider public by »Showing Syntopia«. 👀 Organizers Professor Dr.-Ing. Karola Dierichs, @karoladierichs 
Elaine Bonavia, MSc, @helene_malte 
Jessica Farmer, MA, @studio_jessica_farmer 
Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten, MA, @johlemo 
Dr. Charlett Wenig, @charlett_wenig 
weißensee school of art and design berlin (@kunsthochschuleberlin ) | Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (@mpici_potsdam ) Professor Dr. Tobias Cremer I Dr. Ferréol Berendt
Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development Nuri Kang, Jieun Lee, Jihae Lee, Jinyu Li, Gaia Reiner, Flora Schliekmann, Jelisa Weber
BA students textile- and surface design weißensee school of art and design berlin Images: 1. Prototype by Gaia Reiner, @gaiareiner 2. Prototype by Nuri King, @nurikangnuri 3. Prototype by Jelisa Weber, @jeliezy #design #designresearch #architecture #forest #harvest #wood #syntopia #speculativedesign #speculative #gestaltung

HIKIKOMORI - PREMIERE am 31.08.24 bei GEHEIMNIS 1 @theater_an_der_ruhr CAST&CREW   DAS MÄDEL - PAULINA ALPEN @paulinaalpen DIE MUTTER - ANNA STEFFENS DIE PSYCHOLOGIN - ELISABETH GÜNTHER DIE NACHBARIN - DUNJA SOWINETZ @dunjasowinetz DER FREUND - MARIO NEUMANN @mario_neumann.official DIE FREUNDE - GESA GEUE @gesageue , FRIEDERIKE LANGE , WASSIL DAMJANOV JUNGER POLIZIST - LION BAUMANN @lionrussellbaumann POLIZEI - LION BAUMANN, FABIAN BAUMGARTEN @ruediger_janeiro , JAKOB ARNOLD, LUCAS MARZ, RICHARD WEGENER  DIE KATZE - MANNI     KONZEPT - PAULINA ALPEN, JOHANNA HEHEMEYER-CÜRTEN, JAKOB ARNOLD, WASSIL DAMJANOV , BENNJAMIN SCHNEIDER @benjaminimaj , MATS SÜTHOFF BUCH - JAKOB ARNOLD DREHBUCH - JAKOB ARNOLD, MATS SÜTHOFF PRODUKTION - PAULINA ALPEN, MATS SÜTHOFF REGIE - MATS SÜTHOFF @mats.suethoff KAMERA - MATS SÜTHOFF KAMERAASSISTENZ - JOHANN KRESSIN @johannsphotos AUSSTATTUNG & KOSTÜM - JOHANNA HEHEMEYER-CÜRTEN @johlemo ASSISTENZ - FRIEDERIKE LANGE @ida.rike HAIR UND MAKE UP - MARE JAESCHKE, LEONIE BUSE MUSIK Vasko Damjanov, Saraï O’gare MUSIKKOMPOSITION Vasko Damjanov @vasocular MUSIKPRODUKTION/ SOUNDDESIGN Vasko Damjanov VOCAL DESIGN/ IMPROVISATION Saraï O’gara GESANG Saraï O’gara @saraiogara SCHNITT - MATS SÜTHOFF, PAULINA ALPEN @luxtalents #geheimnis #hikikomori #kurzfilm #premiere #paulinaalpen #theateranderruhr #luxtalents #schauspielerin

BIAAF 9th Contest Finalist: Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten. @johlemo presents her collection ‘EMBARK’. Inspired by pine bark, she have studied and sustainable and innovative accessory designs have been developed. From: @kunsthochschuleberlin #BIAAF2024 #BIAAFContest #EmergingDesigners - Finalista de la IX edición de BIAAF: Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten. @johlemo presenta su colección ‘Embarcar’. Inspirada en la corteza de pino, ha estudiado y desarrollado diseños de accesorios sostenibles e innovadores. Escuela de moda: @kunsthochschuleberlin #BIAAF2024 #BIAAF #DiseñadoresEmergentes

HIKIKOMORI behind the scenes. 2022 photo @johannmariakressin

HIKIKOMORI film still. 2023 @mats.suethoff