Studio davidpompa unveils Stone Archive: A ground-breaker in volcanic materiality.

Mexican studio and lighting brand, davidpompa is to reveal Stone Archive at the hotly anticipated Milan Design Week.

The installation explores the volcanic materiality of their new collection, combining ancient stones with aluminium to craft their new series of light sculptures named ‘Ambra Toba’.

Centre stage is the Mexican ‘Toba volcánica’ - stone that consists of minerals, glass and volcanic debris ejected one million years ago during severe eruptions. Fragments in the geometrical surfaces are testament to these explosions and movement. The contrast between porous textures and smooth contours underlines the studios contemporary approach on traditional materials and craft. Studio davidpompa craft and assemble all of their pieces in Mexico, carefully controlling each stage of fabrication.

The Ambra Toba light sculpture is made from volcanic dust and aluminium. The connecting components between the sculptural stone elements and the aluminium parts originate from the studio’s intensive research into linking unique handmade shapes with industrial components.

Their philosophy is to use stone in as many as light sculptures, playing on the contrasting relationship between something as solid as stone and the fading and intangible nature of light. This collection embodies this duality in a timeless aesthetic.

The studio reflects on its research-based process and investigation. Tall archival shelves filled with stones, folders and prototypes allow the light sculptures to connect with the visual journey of their own design evolution and frame the exhibition space. Visitors are invited to take single archive folders with them, an interaction that underlines the transient character of the installation.

The concept of our Archive is born out of the interest to amplify our understanding on ancient stones - capturing and connecting science, aesthetics, culture and materiality. The archive allows visitors to pause and visualise time in a tangible way. An ancient science of explosions, debris, ashes and dust over millions of years is communicated through surface texture.

In partnership with the geological department of the National Autonomous University of Mexico UNAM, an investigation on the origins of Toba volcánica opened a deeper insight on a stone that is widely used in Mexican culture. The stone has the false common name, Cantera - the Spanish word for quarry. With there being no currently existing public understanding of its origin and composition, Stone Archive’s scientific investigation is driven by the studio´s strong desire to research materials and share public knowledge.

Dutch microphotographer Wim van Egmond documented the stones in a series of artistic videos and panoramic photos that elevate the investigation and further balance the concepts of science and design. Stone Archive will be part of the itinerant platform of Alcova during Milan Design Week and is located in the former slaughterhouse in the historical quarter of Porta Vittoria Abattoir, at Viale Molise, 62.

The installation features a wide range of collaborations that explore the matter of earthly explosions. The line up of exhibitors include; the research of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, work of Dutch microphotographer Wim van Egmond, Mexican chocolate manufacturer Cuna de Piedra, design studio SAVVY, filmmaker Wolf Lass, Portuguese fashion Brand Naus, food designer, Philipp Kolmann and writer, Alexander Slotnick.

To learn more about Stone Archive, click here