"Playground at Dusk" by Nacho Carbonell
"Memories are not just emotions and visions. They have the power to speak to people, to tell a tale and explain the reason for their existence". Spanish designer Nacho Carbonell has a creative obsession that accompanies him in all his work: to design touching objects that are capable of interacting with the observer. In other words: to create bonds.
His latest collection, "Playground closes at dusk" (commissioned by the Rossana Orlandi gallery and presented at Design Miami/Basel 2011) is an outdoor installation consisting of 5 pieces. Four of these try to explore the senses and one, the largest, represents memory, the human brain's ability to remember and store details and emotions. "I tried to reawaken the observers' senses and lead them to a different vision of themselves in relation to their surroundings", explains Nacho.
"They are pieces to smell, touch, to climb and listen to", the designer goes on. A multi-sensory experience whereby the observer participates, plays and interacts with the parts, becoming more than a mere user.
"Auditorium", "Odor", "Resonator", "Point of View" and "Memoralia" are definitely evocative names that leave no doubts as to their nature and function. "Memoralia", the largest piece in the collection, is a figurative explanation of the intricate relation between the senses and memory.
The nebula of boxes at the top of the ladder represents our personal memories: the chamber of secrets of our brain. Reaching it is not just a physical effort, but also a psychological journey into the deepest layers of consciousness and our most hidden thoughts. So the act of climbing becomes a process of elevation that leads to a path of self-analysis.
"People are the result of this collection of memories" underlines Nacho. "Thus, reaching the top of the ladder allows us to recognise an entire system of "memory clouds". They have different shapes and sometimes the same content, but each one interacts with the other in the so called society".
And the view from above allows us to look at ourselves with a new perspective, both as individuals as well as part of a process of contamination within society itself. The result? A melting pot of emotional experiences which generate new visions and ideas.
The collection was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Marc Barrera (specialising in glass blowing), Barnabé Fillion and Borre Akkersdijk (perfume designer).
Photos from nachocabonell.com
His latest collection, "Playground closes at dusk" (commissioned by the Rossana Orlandi gallery and presented at Design Miami/Basel 2011) is an outdoor installation consisting of 5 pieces. Four of these try to explore the senses and one, the largest, represents memory, the human brain's ability to remember and store details and emotions. "I tried to reawaken the observers' senses and lead them to a different vision of themselves in relation to their surroundings", explains Nacho.
"They are pieces to smell, touch, to climb and listen to", the designer goes on. A multi-sensory experience whereby the observer participates, plays and interacts with the parts, becoming more than a mere user.
"Auditorium", "Odor", "Resonator", "Point of View" and "Memoralia" are definitely evocative names that leave no doubts as to their nature and function. "Memoralia", the largest piece in the collection, is a figurative explanation of the intricate relation between the senses and memory.
The nebula of boxes at the top of the ladder represents our personal memories: the chamber of secrets of our brain. Reaching it is not just a physical effort, but also a psychological journey into the deepest layers of consciousness and our most hidden thoughts. So the act of climbing becomes a process of elevation that leads to a path of self-analysis.
"People are the result of this collection of memories" underlines Nacho. "Thus, reaching the top of the ladder allows us to recognise an entire system of "memory clouds". They have different shapes and sometimes the same content, but each one interacts with the other in the so called society".
And the view from above allows us to look at ourselves with a new perspective, both as individuals as well as part of a process of contamination within society itself. The result? A melting pot of emotional experiences which generate new visions and ideas.
The collection was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Marc Barrera (specialising in glass blowing), Barnabé Fillion and Borre Akkersdijk (perfume designer).
Photos from nachocabonell.com
18 June 2011
3.7/5
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License