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Copper, a woman’s metal

Seven women designers explore copper, a material commonly associated with masculine imagery, interpreting its narrative potential. #MDW2017

Nika Zupanc, Longing Cabinet for De Castelli, 2017

The all-female project by De Castelli at Rho Fiera subverts the idea that metals, especially copper, evoke images of typically masculine strength. Called on to work with the company’s know-how, seven designers make their contribution to exploring this fascinating element.

Nathalie Dewez, Elizabeth for De Castelli, 2017

Nathalie Dewez, Elizabeth for De Castelli, detail, 2017

Elena Salmistraro, Polifemo for De Castelli, 2017

Elena Salmistraro, Polifemo for De Castelli, detail, 2017

Constance Guisset, Volte for De Castelli, 2017

Francesca Lanzavecchia, Scribble for De Castelli, 2017

Francesca Lanzavecchia, Scribble for De Castelli, detail, 2017

Francesca Lanzavecchia, Scribble for De Castelli, detail, 2017

Nika Zupanc, detail Longing Cabinet for De Castelli, 2017

In “Tracing Identity” Alessandra Baldereschi, Nathalie Dewez, Constance Guisset, Francesca Lanzavecchia, Donata Paruccini, Elena Salmistraro and Nika Zupanc present furnishings ranging from screens to shelving, from tables to kitchen cabinets, all notable for an emotional, empathic and narrative content. Working closely with the company’s cutting-edge technologies, the designers devised a broad range of possible uses.

Alessandra Baldereschi, Painting for De Castelli, 2017

Copper can be oxidised across a spectrum of gradations and pigmented to obtain suggestive shades of colour, as in the screen by Alessandra Baldereschi. It can be brushed till it glows, as in Nika Zupanc’s cabinet, or pleated into an interplay of reflections, as Nathalie Dewez shows. Francesca Lanzavecchia experiments with the transition from glossy and “natural” finishes to extreme oxidation, while copper as a sculptural and scenic object is found in Elena Salmistraro’s Polifemo, Constance Guisset’s totem, and Donata Paruccini’s table.

Donata Paruccini, Vomere for De Castelli, 2017

4 – 9 April 2017
Tracing Identity
De Castelli
Fiera Rho Milano
Salone del Mobile.Milano
Pav 16, Stand D45

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Copper, a woman’s metal

Seven women designers explore copper, a material commonly associated with masculine imagery, interpreting its narrative potential. #MDW2017

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