At the 59th edition of Marmomac, held at Veronafiere from 23 to 26 September, the exhibition Epiphanies unveils new applicative and cultural frontiers for natural stone.
Epiphanies is a performative exhibition that investigates new applications and horizons for natural stone. Curated by designer and lecturer Raffaello Galiotto—and featured among the four special projects of The Plus Theatre, the Marmomac pavilion, entirely dedicated to visions of the future of stone—the installation presents four projects that aim to reveal fresh design possibilities for this extraordinary material.
The Pietra di Vicenza (Perla Blu grade) from Grassi Pietre – celebrated for its “imperfections” -creates a chiaroscuro play inside a meditation booth designed by Matteo Fraticelli and Marcela Sottile of FROM architecture for Reasoning with stone.
The Return of Natural Stone, conceived by Anne Hangebruch Mark Ammann Architekten together with Nerissa Yeung of Groupwork, explores stone as an alternative to the ubiquitous reinforced concrete, highlighting both its strong eco-credentials (stone can contain up to 99 per cent less embodied carbon) and its versatility. A tangible expression of the project’s key concepts will be on display at the fair: a sandstone-and-granite beam produced by Bamberger Natursteinwerk that appears literally “suspended” thanks to a mechanical compression system enabling both vertical and horizontal lithic structures.
Pushing the boundaries of parametric design, Lucidum and Aracari venture into uncharted technological territory, even challenging the laws of physics. British designer Tara Moore, who has made Carrara her second home, employs Robologica technologies to shape a Carrara white-marble seat in which the characteristic 3D-design lines remain visible, underscoring the piece’s fully robotic creation. Ludson Moulin Zampirolli takes experimentation to the verge of breakage: guided by human hands, the machine opens new horizons. Through parametric calculation, the diamond-wire cutting by Pellegrini Meccanica and Decormarmi sculpts a single block of Granistone quartz, revealing unprecedented proportions.
EPIPHANIES. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
REASONING WITH STONE
Designers: Matteo Fraticelli, Marcela Sottile _ FROM architecture
Company: Grassi Pietre
Material: Pietra di Vicenza, Perla Blu grade
THE RETURN OF NATURAL STONE
Designers: Anne Hangebruch, Mark Ammann Architekten – Nerissa Yeung _ GROUPWORK
Company: Bamberger Natursteinwerk Hermann Graser
Materials: Mainsandstein weiß-grau, Neckartäler Hartsandstein, Leistädter Sandstein, Epprechtstein Granit, Kösseine Granit
LUCIDUM
Designer: Tara Moore _ Marble Projects
Engineer: Alessandro Marchetti
Company: Robologica
Material: Bianco Carrara