Contrasts By Moreno Ratti

Waste transformed into gorgeous vases.

Cut to reference childhood games and the exploration of the form. Suspended to highlight the importance of sustainability in an unnecessarily waste-filled industry. Tilted to create a dichotomy between solidity and flowing movement. Italian artist Moreno Ratti has a creative way of using marble to tell a story and to also encourage the viewer to dig deeper to find meaning. His latest collection is no exception. “Contrasts” follows on the footsteps of the “Suspended” series by exploring the concept of natural resource waste.

Working with the Stonethica factory, the artist created three vases that feature contrasts between textures and shades of gray. The process involved the recovery of marble waste and the use of a CNC machine to make the modules. A perfect partner for the environmentally-conscious artist, Stonethica’s manufacturing process is completely sustainable. Starting with marble or natural stone waste, the factory then recycles the material using a non-toxic resin. Finally, the stone slabs take shape. The entire process complies with LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as well as with BREEAM® (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) standards. Perfectly smooth and polished, the homogeneous material boasts a striking layered pattern. Thanks to the overlapping of different slabs, each section makes the one next to it stand out.

The Contrasts series includes three elegant vases, all displaying eye-catching textures. Thus, waste becomes a beautiful object that creates a focal point in any living space. This collection will be on show at the Matter of Stuff gallery during Miart 2018, along with some of the artist’s previous works. Photographs© Lea Anouchinsky. Images courtesy of Moreno Ratti.