Serenity of stone
The stone selected for
Naturescape and Stonescape
projects has an important role
in facilitating the tranquil aura
of the exhibition spaces. The
Florentine Pietra Forte (meaning
strong stone) is a sandstone with
a warm and soft grey tone. Mosca
Partners who organized both
installations commented that the
silk finish treatment given to the
stone makes it undulating but
nevertheless extremely smooth
and insubstantial to the touch.
The surface area is the result of
special work on the slabs that are
first rough hewn mechanically
and then brushed to remove any
imperfections. The stone has an
ability to absorb light creating
a surface with a matte finish –
an effect that provides visual
contrasts with the glossy surface
of the water pools.
The Florentine Pietra Forte
stone covering the floors of both
designs in wavy contours recreates
the natural process of water
honing stone down over time.
The mirror-like water pools that
are placed around the installation
that also creates a flowing path
throughout the installation
space emphasize this. The stone
arrangement in both Stonescape
and Naturescape can also be seen
as a reference to rice fields and
other manmade curved contours
that are exemplary of humans
transforming the landscape of the
earth. In both designs Stonescape
and Naturescape there is an
attempt to look like topography
in a natural landscape that
transforms urban interior space
and puts it in a context of natural
exterior space. In the exhibition
paths created in the installation
lead visitors around this landscape
creating the opportunity for
serenity and contemplation – and
idea found in the philosophy of
the Japanese Zen gardens – even
in this commercial and urban
setting.
OCAK - ŞUBAT 2014 / JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2014 • NATURA 21