Project in Focus: Marblization by Elinor Portnoy

Looking closer at the inspiration behind Quest, our Project in Focus for the trend is Marblization by London based designer Elinor Portnoy. 

Project: Marblization

Designer: Elinor Portnoy

Photos: Matan Ashkenazy

Inspired by the natural formation of gems and precious stones, Elinor Portnoy uses the glass technique of marbling with various colours, and then cuts and polishes the glass to resemble natural crystal outcrops. This project offers a hybrid of rock and gemstone sculptures, referencing the otherworldly aesthetic of our trend Quest.

Intrigued to find out more we took some time to chat with Portnoy to ask about her working process:

Questions:

1.  Describe your design style/approach in 3 words

Material, processes, culture.

2.  What inspired the colour palette for Marblization? 

I was trying to recreate and fabricate precious natural elements - a hybrid of rock and gemstone that is purely crafted. With this paradox in mind I wanted to find a colourful balance between what is natural, familiar and typically associated with gems and precious stones to the surreal and synthetic.

3. We have featured this project in a trend that focuses on our fascination with new discoveries. How do you see your work fitting into this trend? 

The main focus in my work is finding new discoveries in materials and in glass in particular. In the period we live in, we constantly search for new technologies and materials and yet we embrace a romantic view and appreciation of nature. This conflict led to me on a quest to see how craft can help us recreate precious natural elements that would still preserve their value. To do that I had to challenge conventional ways of making and traditions to find new forms and processes.

4. What do you think about the trend Quest? 

In my perspective this trend summarizes the era we live in, the Anthropocene, where we see the outcomes of human activity on earth. From the changes in the atmosphere and climate down into the ground and the geological layers. We feel compassionate about our earth and hope to reconnect with it but at the same time we realise that it will never be the same again.

5. What are you working on at the moment? 

I am still developing my own work with glass but would like in the future to expand to other materials. I am also preparing for an upcoming residency and a few potential new collaborations.