By Editor Design.nl /asdf 01-04-2010

Copy Nature / The Nature of Copies

The Eindhoven-initiated 'Copy Nature' exhibition has won the competition organised by Dezeen and Organisation in Design for free exhibition space in Milan during the Furniture Fair. The exhibition will be on show 14-18 April at Via Ventura 6, Milan.

'Copy Nature' is an exhibition of 11 designers' work exploring reproduction at the metal casting workshop The Beeldenstorm. The designers, invited by project initiator Max Lipsey, were provided with space and expertise by The Beeldenstorm to come experiment in the workshop.
 
The project theme is 'Copy Nature: Not just about copying nature, but also the nature of copies'. Casting is always a reproduction of existing forms, but the process doesn't have to be a static one. Through their experiments, the designers tangle with the issue of reproduction itself. Are there ways to reproduce which go beyond merely copying? Which surprise, add value to, or change the meaning of the original?

During the workshop, the designers directly engaged the possibilities of the traditional techniques of lost-wax and sand casting. Experiments, both successful and failed, surprised both parties. Julien Carretero developed a technique for casting aluminum into textile molds. Tristan Cochrane, a way to build objects out of fish. The results are equally interesting as objects as for how they were made. Actual hands-on work was necessary to engage with the casting techniques, therefore the designers will keep the slightly messy, materials based approach in the exhibition design and imagery.

The dominant colors in the exhibition plan are the three important materials to the casting process: red oil sand, plaster, and wax. Introducing materials straight from the Eindhoven foundry will lend authenticity to the rough and industrial vision for the location.

In keeping with the other exhibitions in Ventura Lambrate, this honesty in the design process is something the designers would like to show (and see more of) in Milan.

The exhibition took place at the Beeldenstorm workshop during Dutch Design Week 2009 in Eindhoven. The second round was shown at the Eindhoven Gallery 'De Krabbedans' from 12 February - 11 April 2010.

Participants: Sayaka Yamamoto (JP), Tristan Cochrane (UK), Bruno Carvalho (PT), Raw Color (NL), Boaz Cohen (ISR), Ninna Margret Thorarinsdottir (ICE), Charlotte Dumoncel d’Argence (FR), Julien Carretero (FR), Seton Beggs (UK), Tiago Sâ da Costa (PT), Max Lipsey (US)

The Beeldenstorm: Kunstenaarswerkplaats Beeldenstorm is a foundry where bronze and other metals can be cast. The space is especially dedicated to artists and designers to provide a place for exploration and experimentation, but also a workshop fully capable of final production, casting, and finishing. Beeldenstorm is located on the TU/e campus in Eindhoven.

Main image: Sayaka Yamamoto
Image 1: Bruno Carvalho
Image 2: Tristan Cochrane
Image 3: Julien Carretero
Image 4: Charlotte Dumoncel d’Argence
Image 5: Boaz Cohen
Image 6: Seton Beggs
Image 7: Raw Color
Image 8: Ninna Margret Thorarinsdottir
Image 9: Max Lipsey
Image 10: Tiago Sâ da Costa

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