
Unearthing
Collectional
UNEARTHING is an homage to the metallurgy traditions of Mexico. The new body of work – featuring lighting, furniture and sculptural pieces – surveys the layers and evolution of Mexican craft through metalwork and considers the act of digging into the country’s cultural and material roots, revealing the hidden or forgotten techniques, traditions, and stories embedded in metals and the landscape itself.
Just as archaeologists unearth artifacts to understand a culture, the studios have mined and minted their medium; from steel and iron to copper, brass and bronze, while demonstrating a profound respect for the integrity of materials and the land from which they are unearthed and shaped. The result is an alchemical transformation; with age-old techniques reinterpreted to create contemporary design pieces.
The exhibition presents the works across a landscape of metals – bronze, copper, brass and steel – as a compelling tableau set against a pristine white wall which highlights the raw, elemental beauty of the materials. Visitors are immersed in a sensorial experience, featuring a soundscape; a sonic record of workmanship and tools, and the evocative scent of copal – a nod to Mexican culture and a tribute to the ‘oud’ traditions of Arabic cultures. A process wall, covered with images and sketches offers a glimpse into the creative journey behind the designs, while a documentary video showcases the production process in cinematic style – an ode to hands and earth.
Exhibition on view at Collectional, Dubai, United Arab Emirates from the 6th of November to the 20th of December 2024.