12th Nov. - 20th Dec.
Unearthing
The Alchemy of Mexican Metalwork
Group Show

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.
“We are delighted to bring this collective of some of Mexico City’s most dynamic contemporary designers to Dubai for the first time. Collectional showcases the world’s finest creative thinkers and makers, and it is a true pleasure to witness first-hand the incredible craftsmanship of Manu Bañó, Héctor Esrawe, and EWE Studio, and to explore their unique perspectives on Mexican craft and culture.”
Cristiano Baccianti, CEO of Collectional
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 offers 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.
Hector Esrawe
Manu Bañó
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