Johanna Seelemann
Johanna Seelemann is a designer based between Reykjavík and Leipzig, working across product design, spatial installations, and material research. Her studio decodes everyday objects to reveal hidden systems of production, supply chains, and ecological cycles. Her work has been exhibited internationally at the Design Museum London, V&A, and Villa Noailles, and recognized by Wallpaper as a creative leader expanding how design is practiced today. Recent nominations include the Icelandic Design Award 2025, Dutch Design Awards Emerging Talent Award 2025, and the Ralph Saltzman Prize 2025.
Oase
Unglazed terracotta, tree roots, 2025
Oase proposes an intervention to alleviate the conditions of trees in urban spaces, drawing on an ancient low-tech irrigation method. Unglazed terracotta pots act as water reservoirs. When buried near a tree, the porous material of the Oase vessels enables the tree's roots to absorb moisture. Urban trees are exposed to environments shaped for humans and cars. Despite being a vital part of ecological and urban health, trees are often marginalised and regarded as inert 'street furniture' rather than living beings. This results in various challenges for tree health, such as sealed surfaces, a lack of clean water, overheating, wind channelling, compacted soil and restricted root zones. The project was originally commissioned by the MAKK Museum in Cologne.
