[Title] black crystal cave
[Artist] Patricia Urquiola
[Date] September 22 – November 15, 2005
Inspired by Hermès’ 2005 annual theme ” As the river flows” industrial designer Patricia Urquiola creates a scene depicting an imaginary cave. Claiming that she “wanted to produce the impression of a dream left in the mind at the moment of awakening,” Urquiola created “a river flowing in a cave made of black crystal.”
Using a shiny, black acrylic board, Urquiola has changed the shape of the window from the original rectangular box-shape. She has expressed a cave by creating an uneven wall, as well as a floor using the same material. Reflected onto that is a blue-green river. Bolduc, which is the symbol of Hermès, is selected to represent the flow of the river. While the “river” consists of a solid piece of machine, it appears as a simple and unsophisticated belt conveyer, suggesting the age of the industrial revolution at the beginning of the 19th century. The river made of ribbons flows on top of a device comprised of two cylinders (diameter of 120mm & 70mm), and it is a unique characteristic that it flows in different speed.
Hermès was founded in 1837. Having begun as a harness manufacturer, it has continued to evolve until today, like the gentle flow of a river. In giving birth to various products in the course of a long period, we have not only considered the mode and the age, but also maintained the spirit of valuing craftsmanship and tradition. This is the fundamental element of Hermès. It is in order to express this fact that Urquiola has created a window that focuses on our origin, which is the harness and most of all, the saddle.
Patricia Urquiola
Industrial designer born in Spain in 1961. For two years starting in 1990, Urquiola worked as an assistant to Achille Castiglioni at Milan Polytechnic. Becoming independent in 2001, she has been based in Milan active in various fields, from designing products and interior to show room spaces.