Formafantasma – an Italian design studio led by Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin – respond to the challenge of climate change by researching old technologies, which may have something to teach us.
At Chatsworth, visitors see one of their earliest projects focusing on the all-but-forgotten craft of charcoal burning. Formafantasma’s Charcoal series draws on the tension between the negative image of charcoal – its connections to pollution and destruction – and its positive potential in contexts like water filtration.
Made in collaboration with Swiss charcoal burner Doris Wicki – one of the last individuals dedicated to the tradition of producing charcoal by the slow burning of wood – along with glass blowers and wood carvers, the series features carbon filter variations and glass vessels.
The works are presented in the Green Satin Room alongside paintings of historic views of Chatsworth, where charcoal was once an important fuel source. This juxtaposition draws parallels across moments in the landscape and the materials and tools that can be wrought from it.
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Ini Archibong (b.1983), USA & Switzerland
Dark Vernus 1, 2021
blued steel and glass
Untitled #7, 2023
sound piece
Vestibule
Michael Anastassiades (b. 1967), UK
Bamboo Lamp Series, 2021
moss bamboo, waxed linen thread, pewter, spring steel, brass, borosilicate glass, components
Library
Wendell Castle (1932 - 2018), USA
Illusion-Reality-Truth (edition 1 of 8), 2015
Temptation (edition 3 of 8) 2014
A New Seeing (edition 1 of 8) 2015
all bronze
The Ring Pond
Andile Dyalvane (b. 1978), South Africa
Rhythms Vase, 2014
white stoneware clay, with stained highlights
Ingxondorha (Volatile Rocky Terrain), 2022
Umthombo (Spring), 2022
Umgodi (A Mine), 2022
Amaza (Waves), 2022
Isiziba (A Pool), 2022
glazed, hand-coiled stoneware
Cornish Waterfall, 2019
stoneware
Chapel Corridor
Ndidi Ekubia (b. 1973), UK
Turbine II Wine Cooler, 2013
Silver Palm Vase, 2020
Midrib Harmony Vase, 2020
Bowl, 2022
Cup, 2018
Cup, 2020
Journey Vase, 2001
all hammer-raised Britannia silver 958
State Closet
Najla El Zein (b. 1983), Iran
Seduction, Pair 06 (edition 4 of 8), 2019
Iranian red travertine
Rose Garden
Joris Laarman (b.1979), The Netherlands
Maker Bench (Hexagon) prototype, 2018
oak, walnut
Maker Bench (Hexagon) 2018
oak, walnut
Chatsworth Symbio Bench, 2023
Burntwood Quarry gritstone, bryophytes
Painted Hall and Salisbury Lawns
Max Lamb (b. 1980) UK
6 x 8 chair, 2021
western red cedar
6 x 8 chair, 2021
western red cedar
State Drawing Room
Fernando Laposse (b.1988), Mexico
Black Furry Armchair (Prototype), 2022
dyed agave fibres, upholstered linen polyester blend, plywood
White Agave Cabinet, 2021
birch plywood, sisal, steel mesh, kiln-dried Canadian maple
State Bedchamber
Jay Sae Jung Oh (b. 1982), South Korea & USA
Salvage Series Chatsworth Chair, 2021
various plastics, leather cord, plywood
State Music Room
David Roentgen (1743-1807), Germany
Dressing table
Writing table
North Sketch
Giuilio Romano & William Kent
Design development process drawings by artists including:
Giulio Romano (c. 1499–1546), Italy
William Kent (1685–1748), UK
Old Masters Drawing Cabinet
Samuel Ross (b. 1991), UK
Amnesia or platelet apparition?(edition 3 of 8), 2021
marble, powder-coated steel
Optimistic uncertainties. solicit integration (Material Articulation), Prototype, 2021
Fior di Pesca marble
Anxiety Birthed Corrosion (edition 1 of 8), 2021
marble, painted steel
Jut, impale, emerge (edition of 8), 2021
marble, powder-coated steel
Sculpture gallery
Chris Schanck (b. 1975), USA
Cryo III, 2022
Steel, wood polystyrene, polyurea, aluminium foil, resin, suede, onyx
Concretion (edition 3/8), 2021
Aluminium
Grotto
Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007), Italy
Vase no. 7, 2006
glass and rope
Vase no. 16, 2006
glass and patinated aluminium wire
Xiangzheng, 1999
glass polished and oxidised aluminium wire
Vase no. 4, 2006
glass and rope
Lingam, 1999
glass
Great Chamber
Faye Toogood (b.1977), UK
Pew Bench/Moon (edition 2 of 8), 2016
Spoon Chair / Moon (edition 1 of 8), 2016
Spoon Chair / Moon (prototype), 2016
all sand-cast bronze, silver nitrate
Lode II (edition 1 of 8), 2021
Trove I, 2022
Trove II, 2022
Plot II (Prototype), 2022
all hand-carved Purbeck marble
The Chapel and The Oak Room
Joseph Walsh (b. 1979), Ireland
Enignum Brackets, 2022
Enignum Bed VIII, 2015
ash
North Sketch and Sabine Room
Image of Studio Formafantasma, courtesy of Friedman Benda and Formafantasma, photography by Simon
