Andrés Monnier showcases 'Connexico', the lava stone collection at Milan Design Week

Throughout the history of art, programmes such as residencies for artists have been crucial to developing a few of the most remarkable bodies of work in human development. As a way of connecting artists of many disciplines, these programmes challenge each individual to create works in a completely different environment. A crossover between cultures and knowledge takes place, wherein each artist is forced to test their skills, experience and creativity to work on the philosophy of each creation.

For this edition, the Italian stone factory Serafini in collaboration with Galerie Philia, hosted the Mexican designer and sculptor Andrés Monnier in Vicenza, Italy to create alongside the technology of Serafini, a series of bodies of work using local materials and tools. The solo exhibition titled Residenza will be on showcase at Milan Design Week. Monnier created four different pieces using lava stone, as an ode to his culture of origin in Mexico. Volcanic rock has been present in many monuments, handicaps, and historical objects since pre-Hispanic times and Lava stone is one of the most used materials in Mexico. The rocky texture and colour offered infinite possibilities in crafts and industrial design. 

The four bodies of work created for this residency were a result of the synergy between ancient handcrafting techniques that Monnier applies to create all his works and the advanced technology that Serafini has on their installations with their CNC robotic machines to cut stone. The complete collection titled Connexico is composed of a floor lamp, a side table, a rock candelabra and a wall-hanging mirror. “Each piece tells a story and invites the viewer to question specific ideas regarding the sociocultural conditionings we are surrounded with and in parallel, to place in perspective the fact that we humans live in automatic once we arrive at this human experience and we are not conscious about our existence”, shares Monnier.

Stay tuned with STIR's coverage of Milan Design Week 2024 which showcases the best of exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands and events to look out for. Explore EuroCucina and all the design districts—Fuorisalone, 5vie Design Week, Isola Design Week, Brera Design District and Porta Venezia Design District.