ELEMENTAL revealed | Discovering the raw elegance of mineral and earth in the new exhibition

ART CONSULTANCY

ELEMENTAL REVEALED: THE RAW ELEGANCE OF MINERAL AND EARTH

We are all integral parts of a cohesive whole in which people, nature and matter are interconnected. Art expands our feeling of entanglement with our surroundings, transforming our living space into a private sanctuary that resonates with personal meaning. This is the foundation of the new KALPA-curated exhibition ELEMENTAL at the Molteni Pavilion, which brings together the work of Eleanor Herbosch (Belgium), Akiko Hirai (Japan/UK) and Tom Palmer (UK).

Including a harmonious selection of vessels in alabaster, ceramic sculptures and textural paintings, ELEMENTAL delves into the essence of mineral and earth as the source and guardian of life, the root of our nutrition and first home. This primordial substance has been intricately woven into the fabric of human civilization, becoming a testament to the enduring bond between humanity and the very ground upon which we stand.

EXPLORE THE CATALOGUE OF ARTWORKS

Incorporating art into a living space is key to creating an environment with a distinct identity, much like a perfectly tailored garment.

Inspired by the soaring lines of Gothic vaults in British medieval architecture, Palmer’s iconic Vault Vessels, crafted from Iberian translucent alabaster, capture an interplay of light and shade through their dynamic concave and convex surfaces. Their inner force, imbued with ancestral and contemporary energies, reflects the verticality of the architectural lines of the Pavilion. These works embody the delicate yet lasting nature of alabaster, a millennary mineral that has been used across Europe since ancient times. The final forms of these sculptures are guided by the original quarried stone, whose inherent qualities are unveiled by the artist through the carving process.

Working with ceramics and painting, Herbosch weaves these mediums together through the unifying element of earth, infusing her creations with a profound connection to nature, the art of Japanese calligraphy, and ritualistic practices. Her pictorial gesture comes from organic movements, resembling a fracture, a permanent action and alternation of moments of pause and motion. Linking to the core of ELEMENTAL, a selection from her recent Raw Umber series is installed in the reception and restaurant areas of the Pavilion. The warmth and the energy arising from these exhibited works provide the interiors with a renewed tranquillity and a sensation of meditative silence.

The elements that shape our world are woven together like the threads of a vast tapestry. The wind carries the whisper of the earth, the rivers flow with the memory of stone, and the fire burns with the spirit of the sun.

The art journey continues with two ceramic sculptures from Hirai’s signature series Moon Jars, through which she revisits the traditional 18th-century Korean moon jars. These ancient vessels are admired for their calm and minimal design, and they inspire Hirai's modern creations, which are enriched by unexpected colors and the accidental divots and bumps that occur during the firing process. Organic and evocative, the Moon Jars fully embrace the principles of wabi-sabi in which beauty is found in imperfection and contrast, leading the viewer into a dreamlike world created by the artist's spontaneous act of creation. Each sculpture is unique and surprising, with different textures and palettes of colour, offering itself as a canvas for the imagination.

Together, the elements foster a sense of balance and tranquility, inviting guests to experience an art installation that resonates with the essence of the natural world.