The traditional Islamic division of the world along religious lines, between dar al-Islam as the abode of the umma, the Muslim community,1 and dar al-harb, the abode of the unbelievers, has not left many visible traces on the surface of international relations today. Nevertheless, the concept and its more modern variants are still prominent in inner-Muslim discussions at various levels. A fresh look at the historical division model and the reasons for its continued, if sub-legal, presence set against the background of the recent events of the Arab Spring points to some of the great discrepancies within the contemporary international community – as well as to possible solutions, relating to the rapport between religion and Public International Law in general.

Born in Germany in 1975, Roeder earned a BA from Central Saint Martins, London (2000), and an MA from Design Academy Eindhoven (2004) (goods.nl, pamono.com).

🏙️ Artistic Career & Studio

• Internship at Studio Job (Antwerp) paved the way for her to launch her own design studio in Berlin in 2006–2007 (goods.nl).

• Her work merges design and art, balancing mass production and craftsmanship to shape aesthetic concepts rooted in everyday materials (goods.nl).

🪑 Notable Works & Exhibitions

• White Billion Chairs (2002–2009): a series of 33 monobloc plastic chairs, each perforated with up to 10,000 holes and sanded by hand, elevating a common object into collectible art (pamono.com).

• Credenza series and Slow Light Credenza (2010): sculptural cabinets using layered glass strips and modernist materials, exploring transparency and narrative structures (pamono.ch).

• Exhibited internationally: Droog Amsterdam; Chamber NY (2016); multiple Salone del Mobile showcases; Gallery FUMI in London and Milan (pamono.com).

🏛️ Collections & Recognition

• Included in the permanent collections of Vitra Design Museum (Weil am Rhein) and Fendi’s private collection in Rome (pamono.com).

• Critical acclaim for conceptual rigor, with early pieces acquired by Vitra .

🧠 Creative Approach & Philosophy

• Focuses on deconstructing everyday forms to reveal meaning, express cultural relevance, and reconstruct subjective updates (goods.nl).

• Embraces a slow, thoughtful production philosophy, valuing depth and reflection over rapid output .

• Her work reflects structure, layering, perception, blending minimalism with sensuality and storytelling .

📚 Academic & Legal Scholarship

• Dr. jur. Tina Roeder serves as a lecturer at the Walther Schücking Institute for International Law, Kiel University, Germany (uni-kiel.de).

• Has published scholarly work on public international law, including chapters on treaty amendments (Article 33) and registration processes (Article 35) under the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Expressions (Springer, 2012) (link.springer.com).

✨ Summary

Tina Roeder is a multifaceted creative and scholar. As a designer, she transforms mundane objects into sculptural art, demonstrated in signature pieces like White Billion Chairs and the Credenza series. As an academic, she contributes to international law discourse through her teaching and publications on the UNESCO Convention.

Would you like a closer look at her design projects, legal scholarship, or exhibitions?