Metal Summer School in Loulé
About the Metal Summer School in Loulé
Metal is not the most sustainable material, but if it is respected and used correctly, it can last for several generations.
How can design address this challenge? What we value today, will it continue to be valued in 100 or 1000 years? How can excellent know-how contribute to this value?
This intensive course was organized by Passa ao Futuro in partnership with the Michelangelo Foundation, Loulé Criativo and the Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva Foundation. 10 students were selected to work with 6 artisans. 2 days in Lisbon to experience 3 techniques of casting, metallurgy and tin. 3 days in Loulé dedicated to chiselling, filigree and boilermaking. The first week was training and in the second each student was dedicated to a technique.
The final challenge posed to the group was the creation of a set of tables that is a stimulus to interaction. A collection of emotional objects that connect people, with a playful facet that touches human consciousness and perception. The longevity of these objects is thus achieved by the instigation of human relationships, which leads to them gaining a place in memory and being passed on from generation to generation as true treasures.
Candle, 2021
Hammered copper, chiseled brass, silver filigree on brass"
The Candle is the centerpiece of this metallic collection from Mesa Falar. Designed to create different environments at the table through the manipulation of curved pieces, these, together with the candle, allow an open interaction with light, shadow and reflections, all composed by the users. In a delicate way, this project navigated the techniques practiced during the summer school: filigree, hammered copper and chiselling, pushing the boundaries within these arts.
Artisans: Beatriz Canha • Maria da Conceição da Silva Moreira • Analide do Carmo • Jürgen Cramer • Luis Filipe Moreira da Silva
Students: Bartosz Brylewski • Francesca Calicchia • Ana Margarida Lapa • Hiago Teixeira
Senses, 2021
Hammered copper, chiseled brass and brass filigree
Do you remember your last meeting? How was the communication? "Senses" is a set of five different wands, not only for eating, but mainly for small seductions. Each wand is for a different sense – sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. These tools are a good conversation starter or a fun way to start a game.
Sometimes, words are not necessary to communicate. He hears the sound of the small bell inside one of the wand's flowers and smiles. Offer the wand to your date partner or touch it to their ear and laugh. See the world through a lace lens and discover the beauty and magic that surrounds it. Let the miracles happen.
Artisans: Beatriz Canha, Maria da Conceição da Silva Moreira, Analide do Carmo
Student: Liva Graubina
One kiss, 2021
Forged copper, brass, silver filigree
How do we create space for genuine connection? In a world that increasingly pushes us towards individuality, while constantly normalizing us, to the point of becoming even more oblivious to our natural rhythms, The Kiss proposes an ordinary act of resistance. An act that invites us to develop and cultivate greater awareness — of ourselves, of the other. An act that forces us to question and critically review what is presented to us as truth. The Kiss can only be activated through coordinated and concerted actions, being a gentle reminder of the importance of interdependence. One participates in a captivating performance and finds one's unity (a sense of completeness) next to the other.
Artisans: Maria da Conceição da Silva Moreira, Analide do Carmo
Students: Sylvia Berté, Gabin Verboud
Radost, 2021
Hammered and chiseled copper, silver filigree
This object is a combination and intersection of different techniques, materials and their properties, different contrasts, emotions, interpretations and challenges. It is the result of exploration and playing with the properties of copper, pushing it to the limit without fear of potential destruction. The design works with the perception of different contrasts: simple and complex, rough and smooth, rough and delicate, tough and fragile, solid and perforated, along with texture gradients as transitions, combining three different techniques: hammering, chiseling and filigree. The main shape of the cup represents Silvia's emotional flow as she worked the copper, a fusion of emotion with material. For the final touch of the design, the defects that appeared during the hammering were repaired in a reinterpretation of the Japanese Kintsugi technique, where, instead of using lacquer sprinkled or mixed with gold dust, silver filigree delicately repairs the copper.
Artisans: Beatriz Canha, Maria da Conceição da Silva Moreira, Analide do Carmo, Luis Filipe Moreira da Silva
Student: Silvia Gálová
Jim, 2021
Hammered and chiseled copper, brass
In the center of the table, JIM nobly waits for the smallest crumb to fall into his refuge. From the outer walls of this burrow emerge some amuse-bouches or the consequences of an alchemy still unknown.
The organic aspect is no longer in question, but we still have to define its nature. Is it bark or skin growing from these bullous textures, and are those leaves or tongues defining through gesture and fantasy?
The set can be disassembled in this way, allowing guests to grab and keep leaves/tongues with them.
Artisans: Beatriz Canha, Analide do Carmo, José Luis
Student: Pierre Giraud
Yarost', 2021
Hammered and chiseled copper
The concept of this piece originates in the basic chiselling tool, which combines a wooden pedestal, half of a spherical natural stone, covered with a special putty to fix the object to be chiseled. Petya's fascination came at first glance upon entering the chiseling studio: she felt the soul and magic of craftsmanship, without any contemporary tools or equipment. She considers this piece a memorial in honor of this artisanal work, in honor of all those who continue to practice this valuable and respectful art over the centuries, with the general idea of preserving traditions and passing them on. Petya wants us to feel all the hardships, obstacles, wisdom, and knowledge that accompanied the whole adventure. The chiselling set cannot be functional without all its components; would be unbalanced, like everything around us. As always, the solution is hidden in a minimalist and simple gesture.
Artisans: Beatriz Canha, Analide do Carmo, Jürgen Cramer
Student: Petya Taneva
Artisans
Beatriz Canha – Chiselling
Ivo Ferreira – Tinwork
Analide do Carmo – Coppersmithing
Jürgen Cramer – Coppersmithing
Conceição Neves – Filigree
Students
Ana Margarida Lapa, Portugal
Bartosz Brylewski, Poland
Francesca Calicchia, Italy
Gabin Verboud, Belgium
Hiago Teixeira, Brazil
Liva Graubina, Latvia
Pierre Giraud, France
Petya Taneva, Bulgaria
Silvia Gálová, Slovakia
Sylvia Berté, Spain
Partners
The Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship
Câmara Municipal de Loulé
FRESS – Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva
Passa Ao Futuro
Host
Loulé Criativo
Design Mentors
Fatima Durkee – Passa Ao Futuro
Henrique Ralheta – Loulé Criativo
Guest Speaker
Sam Baron, designer
Texts
Move on to the Future
Organization:
Move on to the Future
Photography:
©Jorge Graça ©Michelangelo Foundation