edward hale: moroccan tableware

‘moroccan tableware’ by edward hale images courtesy of edward hale

recent pratt institute graduate edward hale has sent us images of his latest project entitled ‘moroccan tableware’. the collection strives to capture the complexities embedded within moroccan culture and local berber crafts and customs.

by using the same aesthetic language as moorish artwork and architecture – a branch of islamic art and architecture developed in the maghreb area – the pieces attempt to communicate the diverse cultural and culinary traditions of morocco.

the collection is includes small bowls, a teapot and a tagine.

‘tagine’

the overall gestures of the traditional teapot and tagine were first deconstructed and then rebuilt to incorporate elements borrowed from local architecture and objects. 

the texture of the tagine is derived from moorish cobbles, known as ‘muquarnas’, that are commonly used to transition between walls and ceiling. the teapot responds to the concavities of the tagine, and seamlessly incorporates the protruding elements into the spout, handle and feet. the bowls which are reminiscent of ‘zillij’ cut tiles, focus on the form of a single constituent element which is not always apparent when the tiles are viewed as an overall pattern.

‘tagine’

detail of ‘tagine’ lid

‘teapot’

‘teapot’

cardboard model of ‘tagine’

cardboard model of ‘tagine’

the pieces were cut from foam with a CNC router then covered in plaster. the same objects will later be slip cast using the same process.

foam mold of ‘tagine’

foam mold of ‘tagine’

foam mold being cut by a cnc router

foam molds of ‘tagine’ bottom and bowls

models of ‘teapot’ cut from foam

molds of ‘teapot’