Sedia 2 stands as a conscious continuation of a vision set once by one of modern design’s most uncompromising
masters, Enzo Mari. Rather than attempting to re-invent the iconic form, the project engages in a quiet,
cross-generational dialogue with Mari’s foundational principles, trying to adapt the work to contemporary
sensibilities. It honors the radical simplicity of its predecessor while infusing the object with a renewed, deeply
tactile reverence for the natural world.
The strategy of this object is to arrest the viewer’s attention through a striking visual contrast. The chair’s
clean, geometric silhouette is entirely clad in an intricate covering of raw, split twigs – a material technique
developed within the studio, known as Ramium. This dense, organic coating transforms a familiar functional item into
a sculptural artifact, drawing the eye closer to examine the unexpected harmony between rigid structure and untamed
nature.
Through this application, the object bridges the gap between utilitarian furniture design and raw natural
expression. By encasing the humble form in thousands of hand-processed botanical fragments, Sedia 2 elevates the
debris of the forest floor into a dominant aesthetic feature, serving as a physical manifesto for the studio’s
commitment to material honesty and patient craftsmanship.
The choice to build with fallen twigs stems from a fascination with a material that is absurdly common, accessible,
and routinely ignored. Utilizing such humble, overlooked elements directly continues Mari’s championing of “arte
povera” and the democratization of design, proving that artistic value can be extracted from the most abundant and
economically worthless resources found right at our feet.
Transforming raw forest fragments into a refined surfacing material requires a highly disciplined routine.
Collecting and selecting suitable twigs is an ongoing ritual within the studio’s practice, demanding immense
patience to identify pieces that possess the straightness necessary for precise alignment – a quality that nature
yields only sparingly.
Once gathered, each individual twig undergoes a rigorous multi-step preparation to become part of the Ramium mosaic.
The branches are carefully measured, cross-cut, split down the middle, and hand-sanded along their flat sides to
ensure proper adhesion to the structural substrate. Every single element composing the surface must pass through
these steps.
Only when these elements are assembled en masse does the true impact of the material reveal itself. Assembled across
larger surfaces, twigs create a mesmerizing tapestry of “regular roughness,” a field of texture that captivates the
viewer through its rhythm, depth, and unpolished authenticity.
Ultimately, Sedia 2 seeks to carry the master’s original message forward while enriching it with a fresh,
contemporary layer of meaning. Bound in its tight mantle of raw botanical matter, the chair offers a rich landscape
of natural textures, remaining a functional object born from a desire to democratize design while celebrating the
quiet beauty of the wild.
