Stone tables crafted by RF Studio reveal Peru's evolving landscapes, spanning from the Amazon rainforest to the towering Andes mountains.
In an innovative fusion of art and design, RF Studio, under the vision of its founder Rafael Freyre, has unveiled the Mapa de Suelos series. This groundbreaking collection aims to create objects that are not only visually striking but also emotionally, tactilely, and territorially engaging.
Freyre's inspiration for the series stems from his studies in fine art and an encounter with Michel Foucault's concept of heterotopias. He sought to reflect the territory through form, much like Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez, who uses altitude and geography to shape each dish.
The designs of the tables in the series are based on abstractions of aerial views of the Andes, Amazon, and Pacific desert. Each table is composed of fragments of Peruvian stone, including marble, travertine, and onyx. These materials, often considered waste by Peru's extractive industries, are treated as precious in the Mapa de Suelos series.
The most ambitious table in the series, 'Table N°7', was commissioned by Central, a Lima restaurant led by chef Virgilio Martínez. Three works from the series are presented exclusively at Galerie Philia, located at galerie-philia.com. The full series of 13 works is being presented for the first time at rfstudioperu.com.
The studio creates sketches and collages, tests joints and compositions, and is influenced by Inca stonework. The process of creating the Mapa de Suelos series involves visual references tied to soil movement, mineral cycles, and water erosion.
Working with reclaimed offcuts poses challenges due to limited availability, but this is also the project's strength. Each piece in the series is handmade in collaboration with master stonesman Roberto Román. Each table in the Mapa de Suelos series is intended to feel like a piece of territory, not just a table or a sculpture.
Peru's ancient geology offers a wide range of rare stones that aren't typically seen as valuable, which are treated as precious materials in the Mapa de Suelos series. Freyre believes that tradition should be expanded, and the role of artists or designers is to take tradition to unknown places while learning from it.
The "Mapa de Suelos" series by RF Studio is a conceptual and material exploration of the layered complexities of body, land, and memory. It translates these intertwined themes into both material and conceptual form, embodying the concept that land and body are complex, interrelated systems shaped by time, experiences, and memory.
While not explicitly mentioned, given RF Studio’s approach, it is plausible that the project integrates advanced data processing or design algorithms to map or visualize these concepts. However, this remains speculative without direct confirmation.
In summary, the Mapa de Suelos series is a conceptual and material exploration inspired by the multi-layered relationship between body, land, and memory, crafted to express these connections visually and tangibly in their work.
Freyre's Mapa de Suelos series, influenced by the Peruvian geography and Michel Foucault's heterotopias, extends beyond traditional art and design to encompass home-and-garden pieces that embodies a unique lifestyle concept. Each handmade table in the collection, crafted from reclaimed Peruvian stone, represents a piece of territory and serves as a reminder of the interlinked complexities of body, land, and memory within a home setting.
This conceptual and material exploration offers a fresh perspective on home decor, as the series not only integrates advanced data processing or design algorithms but also seeks to expand traditional practices and learn from them, creating a harmonious blend of art, design, and territory within one's living space.
