A genuine exploration of research between the artist and the company
During the recent Cersaie event in Bologna, Ceramiche Refin unveiled GLINT Variation, a unique collection of ceramic pieces created in collaboration with QUAYOLA.
The GLINT collection embodies the fusion of technical expertise and materials between the artist and the Refin Laboratory. It was presented in the newly revamped Gallery at the company’s headquarters, marking the latest milestone in their partnership with the artist as part of the REFIN DTS – Daring Art Explorations project.
After unveiling the GLINT artwork at Fuorisalone last April—a site-specific installation designed by Quayola for Refin Studio in Milan—the collaborative experimentation between the company and the artist continued, leading to the creation of Variation. This collection of sculptural porcelain stoneware pieces is both an evolution and reinterpretation of the Milan installation, representing a seamless fusion of the artist’s vision with the technical and material expertise of the Refin laboratory.
“Glint is, above all, a research process. Both the Glint sculpture and the Variations document my study of the relationship between light and complex geometries. My idea was to crystallize the effects of light on the surface of water into a physical and tangible object. Glint Variations are like multiple works in one, without a precise dimension. Since they are modular, the different pieces can be assembled together, reaching a scale that, if desired, can become immersive.” says Quayola.
The development process for the Glint ceramic variation was both challenging and highly rewarding. Refin’s main task was to replicate the intricate geometry designed by Quayola to represent water ripples on the surface of porcelain stoneware. To achieve this, the company and the artist engaged in a lengthy process of continuous testing, experimentation, and collaboration, exploring innovative production techniques. A custom ceramic mold was created, allowing for the pressing of a detailed bas-relief structure.
“It was an interesting synergy: on one side, my somewhat naïve and dreamer-like approach, and on the other, their ambition to push beyond limits and find solutions that could bring this result to life.” adds the artist.
The result is a collection of sculptural porcelain stoneware pieces available in 30×30 cm and 30×60 cm formats, with a 20 mm thickness and a black glazed surface and edges. The 30×30 cm Glint Variation includes four distinct designs, ideal for interior projects as artistic compositions or to create dramatic full-wall coverings. The 30×60 cm version features a single design, presented as a standalone art piece in a limited edition of 99 pieces, each accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Quayola uses technology to explore the tension between opposites like the real and artificial, the figurative and abstract, and the old and new. His work blends traditional aesthetics with hybrid art forms, including video, sculpture, and immersive installations. His pieces have been showcased at renowned institutions such as the V&A Museum in London, Park Avenue Armory in New York, and the National Art Center in Tokyo.
