One Month Designer Residency in Tuscany Six Designers Two Materials One Objective: to design better.

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1 Open Call for Entries: MOS Designer Residencies Competition MOS Designer residencies in Montalcino, Tuscany Matter of Stuff at Officina Creativa dell Abitare (OCRA) One Month Designer Residency in Tuscany Six Designers Two Materials One Objective: to design better How many ideas will never see the ray of light? How many projects will linger as an unrealized dream? They remain ideas because they lack the necessary funding to break through to the next level, or because they lack access to those who can help realise the concept. During the Italian Renaissance, the greatest art projects, paintings, sculptures and buildings were funded by visionary patrons. But in today s world, is it still possible to support a project from concept to completion simply based on a captivating idea? Designers often build their projects around what materials are available to them, but what would happen if they were given access to materials and technology that were previously unattainable? Taking materiality as the starting point of the design process, the Matter of Stuff designer residency aims to combine international design ideas with Italian expertise in marble and metal. It is a chance to build relationships and exchange dialogue on the intersection between craft, materials and technology. The residency will provide the opportunity for designers to produce unique objects or limited edition pieces. Matter of Stuff isn t just interested in the finished form, but also the narrative behind each piece. Often, it s the stories behind the idea and processes that offer insight to the object beyond its materials and shapes. 1

2 1. The Competition Matter of Stuff is pleased to announce a competition open to designers from around the world. Matter of Stuff is a London-based online gallery and an art and design community founded on a true vision: we believe in the power of craft and the act of making. The competition will select six participants for the Designer Residencies that will take place between 18 April and 14 May 2016 in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Projects from any country can submit proposals for each of the two categories marble and metal work. A shortlist will be drawn and three finalists from each category will be selected. Winners will participate in a one-month residency in Tuscany and will have the opportunity to develop a new line of products in collaboration with an Italian manufacturer. All entries are peer reviewed and judged by a jury comprised of design professionals and members of the press who will be looking for projects that combine innovation, technology, design and creativity. 2. Matter of Stuff Matter of Stuff is a London-based architecture studio and design gallery established in Co-founders Simona Auteri and Sofia Steffenoni have organised a community of designers and manufacturers with the aim of promoting a culture where craftsmanship is at the heart of any creation, be it spatial or product design. Our approach enables us to develop authentic and responsive solutions for our buildings and interior spaces, each with a distinct identity. MOS operate in the fields of contemporary architecture, interior design and product design, working with private and corporate clients. We work closely with excellent manufacturers to create unique spaces, combining new ideas with rigorous attention to detail. Clients include the Kering group and Swarovski, among others. Our website is a platform for customers and design aficionados to gain insight into the creative process that lie behind the precious objects for sale. The range of products brought together by MOS combine cutting-edge techniques with traditional craftsmanship, serving to reinvigorate the collective imagination. Our name, Matter of Stuff, was selected to evoke the importance of raw materials that are the base of everyday objects, while giving insight into the nature of the design process. 3. The location The Sant Agostino Monastic Complex was recently renovated by Milesi & Archos in collaboration with SPDA (Scuola Permanente Dell Abitare). The regeneration not only included a physical renovation of the architecture, but it also gave Montalcino back its cultural soul and offered a new way of sharing urban spaces. 2

3 With these principles as a guide, the OCRA (Officina CReativa dell Abitare) was founded as a centre and incubator dedicated to creativity and art of living. OCRA, the Diocesano Museum and the soon-to-be completed headquarter for Consorzio del Brunello are housed an area that was formerly a 12th century St Augustinian complex, and are physically linked by two original cloisters. 4. SPDA and OCRA SPDA (Scuola Permanente Dell Abitare) was founded on the idea and vision that living is about building relationships and that breathing and eating are part of the basics human needs. Therefore, the workshop and conferences, courses, artist atelier, academy, festivals, summer schools, performances and publications are all centred on these ideas and philosophies. Matter of Stuff has collaborated on ArtApp, the magazine curated by SPDA, since MOS has been invited to collaborate with SPDA on OCRA s cultural exchange, focusing on the design program. 5. Eligibility The competition is open to all creatives across all disciplines including designers, makers, architects and artists. The competition's terms and conditions are as follow: - Graduates with BA degrees in any creative field - Each designer can propose one design per material 6. Entries The global demand for marble and metal have created a shortage in the market and the limited supply has made it difficult for design firms operating on a smaller scale to work with them. This dilemma has also created a gap in designers knowledge of how to work with marble and metal. Both materials can be worked with by hand or by machine, marrying tradition with technology. We are interested in using the material to its maximum potential. We are looking for innovative processes or fresh ways to emphasise the materiality. We are not afraid of the unconventional and we embrace ideas that play with machine mistakes, disassembly processes, burning, staining and smashing... We are looking not only at beauty on purely aesthetic terms, but also something that evokes emotions, or stimulates tactility or soundscapes. We want to rediscover the significance placed on the emotional as well as the practical value of craft. We are looking for a design that is not just an object but also unveil the story behind it as well. 3

4 7. Submission Submissions are accepted via only and must be submitted in a single.zip archive folder no larger than 5MB in total. Please format all written material as a single PDF document. Completed applications should be sent to: events@matterofstuff.com by 4pm (GMT) on 15 February The following materials should be included in your application: Subject: MOS Designer Residencies Competition - YOUR FULL NAME Fee: Proof of payment of non-refundable administration fee of 30 per entry needs to be submitted together with the design proposal. Transfers to be made via PayPal or BACS. Reference: Your full name PayPal address: matterofstuff@gmail.com BACS: Account Name: Matter of Stuff Account No: Bank Name: NatWest Sort Code: IBAN: GB27NWBK BIC/ Swift: NWBKGB2L Branch address: 2/3 Upper Street Islington London N1 0PH Introduction: Please submit a PDF portfolio of five A4 pages maximum showcasing your background and relevant work. Proposal: A PDF of two A3 landscape pages with a proposal on how you would work with your chosen material. The proposal should address the approach and process. We are not expecting a final product, but a glimpse or an idea of what could be developed during the residency. Statement: Explain your design intent and your idea in a few lines. Language: All applications should be in English or Italian. All entries will be strictly confidential and the entries intellectual property will remain with the designer. 8. Jury Panel - Simona Auteri and Sofia Steffenoni, Founders of Matter of Stuff - Sebastian Bergne, Designer and Visiting Professor - Edoardo Milesi, OCRA and Archos - Giovanni Cutolo (presidente Fondazione ADI Collezione Compasso d'oro) - Manufacturers from the selected factories (marble and metalwork) 4

5 9. Competition Price Winners will be announced on February 29th, The selected designers will have the opportunity and obligation to produce at least one design piece that will become part of the Curated by MOS collection and which will be exhibited at MOS summer gallery in Montalcino and then presented at London Design Festival The winning designers will have access to the following: - Chance to participate in a four-week residency program in Montalcino. Included are: free accommodation for the whole stay at OCRA spaces in the centre of Montalcino, complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner for the required days, access to teaching rooms and media room, and a wine tasting experience with the best Tuscan wineries - Chance to work with Italian manufacturers in marble and metal, including visits to Carrara Marble Quarries, manufacturing facilities and metal work - Opportunity to bring the final design to production - Free exhibition of the final prototype during Montalcino Design Festival, which will take place in conjunction with the 19th edition of the Jazz & Wine festival, July Free exhibition of the final prototype during London Design Festival 2016 at MOS exhibition space - Royalties will be paid to the designers upon sales made. The designers will own all intellectual properties over the piece. The new products will become part of the curated by MOS collection for each manufacturing brand. - Visibility for the designer and the new collections on - The new collections and their process of production will be documented through video, photographs and text. - The new collections and the designers will benefit from the promotional marketing strategy - The prototype will be owned by MOS. After London Design Week 2016, the prototype will be available to the designer free of charge for exhibitions and the designer will have the opportunity to sell it directly. 10. Residency Program Accommodation will be provided during the whole month and food will provided for during the required period of the residency. For the remainder of the time, designers are welcome to stay in Montalcino residencies, but their presence will not required. Optional activities are available for those who wish to remain longer. Presence in Montalcino is required: - April 19-22, during the first four days of the workshop, visits to the manufacturing facilities will take place. - May 11-14, during the last three days of the workshop, the final designs will be presented. 5

6 An intermediate submission will have to be submitted by April 29th, 2016 in digital format. The intermediate submission will be reviewed by the jury and a scaled mock up or a crucial detail will be produced during the following week. Outline of the introductory first five days (April 18-22, 2016) Arrival By car: participants getting to Montalcino by car can check in from 11 am on Monday 18th April. By train/airplane: pick up from close by train station (Buonconvento) will be available. Please get in touch to discuss before booking your flight. Monday: Welcome Lunch Once you arrive in Montalcino, there will be a guided tour of the residence. Afterwards, you ll be shown your rooms and a welcome dinner will be served around 8 pm. Tuesday: Introductions and Wine Tasting An introduction to Tuscany through the eyes of local craftsmen and artists. Introduction to workshop topics. At 6pm, a complimentary wine tasting experience with food pairing will be offered to the designers in one of the neighbouring wineries. Wednesday and Thursday: Manufacturer visits On Wednesday morning, designers will visit the Carrara Marble factories and quarries. On Thursday morning, designers will visit Fano s metalwork factory. Friday: Workshop kick off followed by Venerdi di Montalcino and an introduction of the designers to the city of Montalcino Friday morning is the kick off day for the design projects. The jury panel and manufacturers will be available for individual discussion with the participants. On Friday evening, the designers will introduce themselves and present their previous work to the city of Montalcino during the Venerdi di Montalcino Intermediate Submission An intermediate submission will have to be submitted by April 29th, The intermediate submission will be reviewed by the jury and a scale mock up or a crucial detail will be produced during the following week. The presence on site of the designers is not required as the submission can be digital. Outline of the final three days (May 12-14, 2016) Wednesday: Final discussion with the manufacturers Wednesday will be the final chance to discuss the design project with the manufacturers before the piece gets sent to production. Thursday: Setup of the final presentation Thursday will be dedicated to the final presentation, which will take place on Friday. Friday: Final presentation followed by Venerdi di Montalcino and closing party 6

7 Friday afternoon is the final presentation for all of the participating projects. The media for the presentation is to be chosen by the designer, together with the mock up of the product from the intermediate critique. At 7pm, each designer will give a 10 minutes presentation, as part of the Venerdi di Montalcino program. The final presentation will be open to the public and all neighbouring wineries will be invited. A closing party will follow. 11. Optional Activities Each Saturday and Sunday, there will be optional leisure activities such as wine tasting, thermal spas or visits to nearby cities such as Siena, Monteriggione and Pisa. 12. Accommodation Accommodation for the one-month residency period is offered. Participants are accommodated in shared rooms with four to six beds. All rooms will be furnished and have their own WC and shower. Your participation includes free accommodation in shared rooms; private rooms are available upon request (via or phone) and at an additional cost (valuable items can always be locked in our office). Please note that the amount of private rooms is limited and we cannot guarantee them for everybody, but we ll try our best to accommodate your requests! Bed linen will be provided, but not towels. 13. Board During the required days, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided. 14. Important insurance and medical issues Each participant is responsible for arranging sufficient insurance coverage for the duration of the workshop including accident, liability and health insurance for travel abroad, return transport to your country (evacuation), as well as theft insurance for one s personal items. If you are on special medication, please ensure you have enough with you. If you have any food or general allergies, please inform us in advance. The climate in Montalcino can be quite warm and sunny, but showers might occur and temperatures may drop, causing it to be chilly at night. Do not forget your first-aid kit, which should include Aspirin, as well as medication for insect bites, allergies and for gastrointestinal infections. If you are allergic to pollen, please bring your own medication. ITALY PRESS OFFICE ComunicaDesidera Roberta Melasecca Architect/Editor/Pr info@comunicadesidera.com

8 15. Photographs of OCRA spaces in Montalcino 8

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