London Design Festival - 2023

Isola Design:

‘Nothing Happens if Nothing Happens’

within the Material Matters Fair 20 ⎯ 23 September

Exhibition Proposal:

Ceremonial Cremation Vessels, ‘Closing the Circle’

Dear Isola Design,

I am delighted to submit my exhibition proposal, Ceremonial Cremation Vessels, ‘Closing the Circle’ for your show at ‘Material Matters Fair’ as part of the London Design Festival 2023. The theme 'Nothing Happens if Nothing Happens' resonates deeply with my work, which explores sustainable practices, circularity and the transformative power of ceremony.

Introduction:

I propose to exhibit a collection of sculptural cremation urns under the title ‘Closing the Circle’ The collection is essentially a single product with variations in materials and size and is an embodiment of circular design principles and our interconnectedness with the environment. Additionally, I plan to offer a second collection of vessels titled "Lifeboat," which is currently under development and which explores an innovative approach to scattering ceremonies.

Context:

My work merges art, design, and craft disciplines, fusing the materiality of the handmade with the conceptual concerns of environmental consciousness, site-specificity and functional design. As we address the pressing need for sustainability and regenerative practices, my work celebrates our relationship with the environment and explores the significance of cremation ceremonies in honouring life's natural cycles.

Concept:

The title ‘Closing the Circle’ represents the core concept of my exhibition proposal. It embodies both the principles of circular design and the ceremonial act of returning our ephemeral bodies to the earth after death, completing the cycle of life.

Biodegradable urns such as, ‘Americano and Newspaper’, ‘Tea Urn’ and ‘Brewing Vessel’, utilise waste materials, such as used coffee grounds, discarded newspapers, teabags, and brewer's spent grain. These vessels evoke a sense of life’s fond rituals. Other bio-vessels such as ‘Forest Floor’, which is crafted from oak leaves and lichen, are crafted from natural materials gathered by hand at sites of natural beauty which will encourage connection with that site and the environment more generally. These urns are intended for interment in a natural burial ground, where they will gently decompose in the earth and return organic materials and nutrients to the soil.

Dissolvable vessels such as, ‘Hengist's Beard’ and "Bonefire," are crafted from the natural materials which I have collected by hand on coastal walks. Each piece evokes the essence of its origin, reflecting the season and sense of place in its materiality. These site-specific vessels are intended to dissolve in the sea, in the time between tides, returning the materials and their precious contents to the environment with zero impact, exactly where they were collected.

The urns in my collection are both utilitarian and ceremonial in nature, embodying contemplation, simplicity, and an absence of decoration. Inspired by the iconic Korean moon jar, each vessel's form is shaped by the materials and making processes, adhering to the principle of ‘truth to materials’

The proposed ‘Lifeboat’ series will take the form of a simple or primitive boat and represents an experimental approach to eco-urns, designed to float for a period before dissolving and dispersing. I am experimenting with seaweed, both as a binder and as sheet material, sand and other appropriate natural materials, some of which can be seen in the video clip below. This innovative concept explores an alternative ceremonial experience, potentially incorporating the elemental force of fire as part of the ritual.

Conclusion:

The ‘Closing the Circle’ exhibition proposal presents an exploration of sustainable, regenerative, site-specific, and social practices. My collection of sculptural cremation urns seamlessly merges the materiality of handmade art with the conceptual concerns of environmental consciousness, site-specificity, and functional design.

I believe that showcasing these thought-provoking pieces at the ‘Material Matters Fair’ during the London Design Festival 2023 perfectly aligns with Isola Design's mission to celebrate materials and their potential to shape our lives sustainably.

In support of my proposal, I have provided images below of pieces from the’Closing the Circle’ collection which are currently available but this is subject to change. The images link to product pages on my website with detailed descriptions of each piece. I have a further artist statement and short bio here.

Thank you for highlighting the opportunity to contribute to the ‘Material Matters Fair’ show with Isola Design and for considering my proposal. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this further and answer any queries you may have.

Sincerely,

Simon Frend