How do we understand cultural value systems within developing cycles of reuse?

From 10th October 2016, Ma-tt-er presented the work of Raw Material during a ‘Makers and Curators’ exhibition at a retail store in Clerkenwell, London. Raw Material created a series of furniture and objects from waste stone.

Raw Material’s assemblage studies enabled us to continue a material conversation based on our recognition that most materials have an infinite life cycle. Within this system they can be reused, reformed and redesigned with a new purpose.

Raw Material is a studio based in desert plains of western India in the vast hills of Rajashtan. Set deep within a stark terrain, the aim is to express an experience of being immersed in this landscape of a singular material.

An ongoing exploration of geology in terms of material and processes Raw Material apply architectural joinery techniques to create assemblages that require no adhesives, fixtures or fittings.

We worked with Raw Material to communicate how marble can provide a different cultural value system as well as how a single material can be used to its full potential. By applying uncommon tools and techniques to the material, it can be understood differently. Careful lathing enables the marble to emit light for these lamps.

A selection of smaller marble objects were on display alongside Raw Material's larger expressions and available for sale within the store.

This series showed the different scales at which marble can be utilised and made useful whilst opening up a dialogue about cultural and economic value in landscapes of waste.

Credits: Photography Raw Material.