UNEARTHING

UNEARTHING: The Alchemy of Mexican Metalwork is presented for the first time and features all new work by three Mexico-city-based studios - Manu Bañó, Héctor Esrawe and their collective design practice EWE Studio founded with Age Salajõe - working individually and in concert, to dive into the rich history of Mexico through the lens of landscape, territory, materials and process, with a focus on objects crafted in metal.

UNEARTHING is an homage to the metallurgy traditions of Mexico. The new body of work - featuring lighting, furniture and sculptural pieces - surveys the layers and evolution of Mexican craft through metalwork and considers the act of digging into the country’s cultural and material roots, revealing the hidden or forgotten techniques, traditions, and stories embedded in metals and the landscape itself. Just as archaeologists unearth artifacts to understand a culture, the studios have mined and minted their medium; from steel and iron to copper, brass and bronze, while demonstrating a profound respect for the integrity of materials and the land from which they are unearthed and shaped.

The result is an alchemical transformation; with age-old techniques reinterpreted to create contemporary design pieces. The exhibition presents the works as a landscape of metals - bronze, copper, brass and steel - as a compelling tableau set against a pristine white wall which highlights the raw, elemental beauty of the materials. Visitors are immersed in a sensorial experience, featuring a soundscape; a sonic record of workmanship and tools, and the evocative scent of copal - a nod to Mexican culture and a tribute to the ‘oud’ traditions of Arabic cultures. A process wall, covered with images and sketches oWers a glimpse into the creative journey behind the designs, while a documentary video showcases the production process in cinematic style - an ode to hands and earth.

Exhibition Details: ‘Unearthing - The Alchemy of Mexican Metalwork’, EWE Studio, Héctor Esrawe, Manu Bañó.

Public Opening Days: November 13th - December 12th, 2024

Gallery COLLECTIONAL, Eden House, Jumeirah Garden City, 41st St – Al Satwa – Dubai