ammann gallery reveals nucleo works at PAD london 2014

ammann gallery reveals nucleo works at PAD london 2014
‘metals’: bronze age consolle 01 – 2014, 101 x 32 x 89H
all images courtesy of nucleo

nucleo is a collective of creative minds directed by piergiorgio robino based in torino, italy. active in contemporary art, design, and architectural fields, they have presented a series of pieces through the ammann gallery booth at PAD london 2014.

‘metals’ began through an observation of alloys as matter, as an evolutionary process, and as an aesthetic suggestion. this idea led to the development of three tables, each of which correspond to the copper age, the bronze age, and the iron age. their eras have profoundly influenced society in a sustainable manner, which is still visible in today’s world. writing, urbanization, transport, and navigation are results of this progress. according to the studio, ‘the furnishings are made entirely of thin sheets of metal assembled by welding, united by the same shape, but made with different finishes from time to time in step with human evolution.’

side view of a ‘metals’ table

analyzing the properties of fossils, we can find the imprint of the original item, in the same way that the implementation process creates the object leads to the destruction of its original. the ‘fossil stools’ are realized with a galvanic process, consisting of a single block that accurately traces the handmade form from which they take shape.

‘metals fossil’ nickel stool 01 /02 – 2014, 46 x 42,5 x 42H

detail of the stool’s edge

quartz was known from ancient cultures as in the chinese empire and the south america civilizations as precious and symbolic material. used for elite good materials, the stone developed a long tradition of craftsmanship, even now much important for many cultures. here, it appears as a single prism made of epoxy resin with a submerged organic material – a trunk cut from a 200-year-old italian oak tree – in the liquid polymer with pigment added. the reaction between the two ingredients creates the cracks as a natural process. the resulting hunk of verdant is raw and refined, with a reflective quality. it suggests mineral deposits deep within the earth while still retaining a sense of high design.

‘stone fossil’ quartz 01 – 2014, 35,5 x 26,5 x 46h cm | 36,7 x 26,6 x 44,5h cm

the embedded structure is a 200-year-old italian oak tree

the ‘resinite’ collection follows the same experimental concepts seen throughout nucleo’s ‘fossils’. each construct is a play of opacity and transparency, revealing individual fiberglass components that make up the supporting structure. as a result, a graphical pattern adorns the surfaces as extrusions intersect the top surfaces at varying depths.

‘resinite’ resin fossil coffee table, 181,5 x 221 x 41,5H

closeup of the fiberglass 

‘resinite’ resin fossil consolle 01 – 2014, 41 x 130 x 86H

the imperfections of the process have been maintained

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.