DS.WRITER: Vasilis Xifaras
Design is based, among other factors, on the right use of materials to be considered successful. There are cases, not by any means rare, when the choice in material is the main driving force in the development of the design. Marble is a particularly dynamic element of nature that can contribute to design production because of its genuineness, its simplicity as well as its unsurpassed aesthetic value. In Greece many regions are interwoven with the production and export of marble: Penteli, Tinos, Thassos and Paros to name a few.
Here we have gathered some of our favourite design brands that have brought this ancient material up to date and transformed it into state of the art pieces.
On • Entropy
As cleverly revealed in its name, this Greek atelier, based in Athens and London, aims to experiment with marble’s diverse character and potential. Niki and Zoe Moskofoglou understand the material’s sustainability as well as its complicated nature that balances between stability, weight and lightness, fragility. They combine thin surfaces of marble with steel and bronze, or they use big masses of sculpted marble to create objects with plain and elegant lines, bold angles and a sculptural attitude.
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The Greek entry to London Design Biennale 2016 | onentropy.co.uk |
Objects of common interest
Eleni Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis envision ephemeral installations and timeless objects that deal with corporeality, conceptuality and experienced spatiality. Between Athens and New York they actively take part in exhibitions where they impress by demonstrating the materials’ potential, showcasing their unique character and overturning our deep-rooted perception of them. Their objects are monolithic volumes, an ode to marble and simplicity. They result from the combination of different qualities or from the geometrical placement and apposition of heavy volumes or thin surfaces. |
Bent Stool, 2016 | objectsofcommoninterest.com |
Savvas Laz
An up-and-coming Greek designer who is conquering the world with his creations, inspired by nature and the relationship between natural and artificial. He uses marble, leather, bronze as well as recycled materials to produce edgy objects with timeless geometries and a harsh style. To create this distinct style, the absurd element as well as hellenism are recruited. |
Neo-ancient, 2019 | savvaslaz.com |
Aristotelis Barakos
Based in Athens and solving issues of design and methodology by hand, Aristotelis Barakos is a promoter of honest, aesthetically pleasing but also functional design on every level. For this, he draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and the ancient Greek style, incorporating them to functional objects with modern style.
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Théros 0.1, 2020 | aristotelisbarakos.com |
Anaktae
Love for the classical artistic value of ancient Greece is what brought Dianna Karvounis and Vivian Philippa together. Handcrafting meets monumentality, timelessness and modern style, with permeating femininity and uniqueness that also evokes the palace as a place (the greek word for palace is “anaktoro”). The furniture and objects designed are at the same time examples of architecture, product design and interior design. Thus, ancient symbols and forms are redefined, birthing new classic geometries, manifested through the use of natural and pure materials like marble. |
Phylax, 2019 & Philos, 2019 | anaktae.com |
Unprocessed realities
Niki Danai Chania along with Dimitris Tampakis and Giannis Delatolas created the Un.Processed Realities studio in Tinos, in 2018. Through their work they clearly demonstrate man’s attempt to dominate nature and the uncontrollable character of industrialisation. Unprocessed pieces of tinian marble - remnants of abandoned mines, are penetrated by inox pipes with led lighting. Thus, the antithesis between a natural and pure element and an anonymous product of industry -elements that remain in constant battle- prevails. |
Un[processed], 2019 | unprocessedrealities.com |
These are only a few of the Greek designers who excel with their distinct creations. Those are proof that even the heaviest of matter, like marble, can be used for functional objects that provide meaning, besides unmatched aesthetics. Because design concerns image as well as meaning.
Πηγή: designsociety.gr
