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marble 2.0
a stone revived by innovation
Marble, a noble and elegant material long cherished by artists and artisans, was deemed slow and unwieldy in our modern era – a relic unsuited to our fast-paced times. Increasingly relegated to mundane uses like bathroom floors and kitchen counters, it faded from artistic prominence. Yet, today, marble is experiencing a revival, thanks to innovative technologies and exciting design approaches. This sustainable material is being reimagined, offering fresh possibilities and reclaiming its status as a versatile and contemporary material, inviting us to explore its potential in our time.
Our exhibition ‘Florista Marmoris’ transformed Prime Matter into a marble-crafted universe, where art and design harmonize in a poetic narrative. This curated story showcased marble as a versatile and sustainable material, featuring the works of artist Alexandra Ferreira, floral artist Nathan Kunigami, designers Mircea Anghel and Emmanuel Babled, and sculptor Filippo Tincolini. Additionally, the Portuguese brand Filstone introduced Stork, an innovative composite material blending stone and cork.
Alexandra Ferreira’s handcrafted pieces, showcased as part of her ongoing collections ‘Daily Objects’ and ‘I am Not Afraid of Standing Up’, bring us closer to the traditional sculptor’s craft with marble. However, she challenges the notion of marble as a noble material, stating, “If I had wood, I would work in wood; if I have glass, I’m going to work with glass. I work with marble because here in Portugal it’s available, convenient, and cheap, as I work with the leftovers of the quarry.” With this perspective, Ferreira encourages us to rethink marble, freeing it from any narrow or elitist connotations. Her approach is not only inspiring but also resourceful, as she uses quarry leftovers to fuel her creativity. Despite their modest size, her sculptures defy conventional views of marble’s use in art and design, offering a contrast to more grandiose pieces on display at Prime Matter.
This CNC technology enabled designer Emmanuel Babled to explore innovative applications in marble. Prime Matter showcases several remarkable outcomes of his collaboration with Torart, including his translucent marble lampshades with an ultra-thin 3 mm profile from the Supernova light series. These thin marble lamps challenge our perception of marble as a heavy material and defy gravity, creating a floating effect when suspended from the ceiling. This is another proof that blending traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technologies leads to exciting new applications in marble.
Through a patented process held by the Portuguese company Filstone, a thin layer of any stone can be fixed to a thin layer of cork, unlocking fresh possibilities in design, engineering, and interior architecture. This transforms marble from a heavy and rigid material into one that is also elastic, pliable, and lightweight. It’s clear: Marble is coming back strong, all thanks to new technology and creative innovation. Can we confidently say that even Michelangelo would have admired marble’s modern flair?