The warmth of movement that gives shape to glass and metal, the dance that inspires the step of inanimate objects, a steel skeleton to carry a luminous gem: this is Alice Crepaldi and her human design.
How did you come to be inspired by dance, the movement and dynamism of the human body?
The idea for the collection came during lockdown: everything was still, static, almost claustrophobic. I looked around and thought about creating something in motion, something that would distance itself from the idea of a functional piece of furniture but, once positioned, could almost be forgotten, frozen in place.
Starting from this idea, I reasoned "by contrast": from static to dynamic, from marginal to protagonist, from inanimate to animate. And so I thought of the body. Each different, each unique and protagonist, in motion even when still, with new details always to be discovered and a special energy.
I started by observing myself, photographing and filming myself in various movements, highlighting different parts of my body, and transferring everything to paper naturally, quickly, instinctively, without much thought. The final object had to convey this spontaneity, this dynamism, and this uniqueness that we find in each of us.
On the left, the Little J table; on the right, Mr Joe, both dancing jewels from the Walking Jewel collection.
What do you want your works to communicate? What would you like them to inspire in those who view and use them?
All my work is based on the theme of movement. The aim is to make my designs somehow hypnotic, capable of sparking wonder and curiosity. For me, this idea of "movement and uniqueness" is fundamental. In the metalwork, dynamism is expressed by hand-bent rods welded in all directions, capturing the eye and making you want to observe the object, its shape, and follow its movement by changing perspective.
In the case of glass, I worked with the masters of Murano to select techniques that would enhance the very idea of movement. In the Miss Joshua lamp, the glass is blown directly into the metal cage, thus creating the illusion of something still striving to expand.
These are manual techniques, and in a context where everything can now be produced and reproduced, I like the fact that the end consumer can have something unique and unrepeatable.
The Miss Joshua lamp, with Murano glass blown by artisans captured in its expansion.
Glass and metal, hard and cold materials, for a vibrant and energetic collection; why these materials in particular?
When I conceived the collection, everything I saw, especially during the pandemic, felt "heavy" in every sense: visually, mentally, physically. This concept merged with the idea of the body, and I decided to abstract it and free it from all this heaviness.
Metal was perfect for me: used as a functional and resistant skeleton, it could also be a lightweight body, equipped with only the essentials to finally move freely in space.
Murano glass was the icing on the cake. It conveys a sense of uniqueness that compels the observer to conceive of it as something precious and delicate, and that was exactly what I wanted: an object that is not forgotten, but rather enhanced. Glass was the precious stone set in the dancing frame, hence the collection's title: the "Walking Jewel."
The challenge was also figuring out how to use two very ancient materials in a contemporary way. With metal, I decided to challenge its resistance by transforming it into essential yet soft and sinuous forms. With glass, I wanted to reimagine traditional techniques in fresh and new forms that would enhance its timeless beauty.
The glass, precious and brilliant, and the light but intricate shapes of the metal skeleton.
What opportunities does Isola offer you, and why did you choose to participate? How did you discover it?
A few months before the fair, Isola Design District announced an initiative to organize an exhibition called "Tools and Craft," and I immediately recognized myself in it. The concept is a bit like returning to a dimension where we have a greater awareness of how things are made, appreciating and valuing them more precisely for that reason.
The projects on display reflect the new wave of design that is rethinking the way we produce and design, and young people like me have used design as a means to express themselves and make their voice and vision of the world heard.
Alice Crepaldi in her studio with sketches of her works behind her.
1 comment
Well done Alice, congratulations on your beautiful works.