Meteora @ Nilufar

"Meteora" celebrating the natural imperfections of lava stone - a fully enveloping ranieri installation at Nilufar

On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2024, the Italian company Ranieri, renowned for its artisanal mastery in transforming volcanic rock into cutting-edge art, architecture, and interior design, presents 'Meteora', a new site-specific installation for Nilufar Viale Lancetti’s Garden. The large artwork, envisioned by Ranieri's creative directors, architects and designers Francesco Meda and David Lopez Quincoces, serves as a majestic enticement to delve into the surprising realm of lava stone and its unconventional craftsmanship by the company.

Rooted at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, Ranieri embodies a multi-generational history of lava stone mastery, now led by Giovanni Ranieri. Their focus centres on elevating the inherent beauty and diversity of lava, driving innovation by breaking away from conventional norms. This same philosophy guided Meda and Lopez Quincoces, alongside Ranieri, in shaping the Odissea collection, made of pioneering finishes and cutting techniques. Each piece showcases lava's myriad hues and textures, eschewing uniformity and embracing its organic variations as strengths rather than flaws. Ranieri's true treasure lies in its refusal to adhere to standardisation; like live lava stone, each product is born from the volcano and maintains a unique identity. Ranieri's installation for Nilufar, 'Meteora', stands as a testament to this philosophy, further celebrating the allure of natural imperfection and non-conformity.

The installation hosted by Nilufar takes the form of a monolithic structure, inviting visitors to envelop themselves in a temporary environment crafted entirely from lava stone. Upon entry through a narrow corridor, visitors access a circular space boasting a diameter of 3 metres with walls standing approximately 2.6 metres tall. With such dimensions, the installation intends for visitors to lose all sense of external space and time, surrounded entirely by the rugged beauty of lava stone. The only visible element beyond the stone enclosure is the sky, visible through an upward aperture resembling a telescope. At the heart of this circular space lies a small concave depression, approximately 30 cm in depth, crafted from lava stone and adorned with a golden enamel. This centerpiece serves as a reflective mirror to the open sky above, offering the opportunity to contemplate the surroundings from a unique perspective. "Ranieri's unwavering dedication, expertise and affection to lava stone are unparalleled. Inspired by the works of Tadao Ando and James Turrell, we crafted ‘Meteora’ to embody this very essence of encapsulation within the material" state Meda and Lopez Quincoces. ‘Meteora’ showcases the versatile applications of Ranieri's lava stone craftsmanship; its exterior features the 'Bare Stone' treatment, which accentuates the material's natural essence, colour, and unique texture, allowing volcanic essences to shine through its naked surface; in contrast, the interior surfaces boast a range of finishes from the Odissea collection, such as 'Linear Color,' which embraces the fluidity of colours to create deep accumulations and transparent reliefs. This interplay of treatments highlights the diverse possibilities inherent in Ranieri's lava stone, demonstrating its adaptability as well as richness. Adorning the periphery of the installations are lava stone stools, each measuring 50 cm x 50 cm. Crafted entirely in the Odissea finishes, these elements present a visual illusion: when aligned in succession, they meld into a singular black block; upon closer inspection or when separated, their surfaces unveil an interplay of fluidity and motion.

'Meteora' offers a serene sanctuary for quiet contemplation: a moment to gather one's thoughts on the thousands of design inspirations encountered while connecting deeply and directly with craftsmanship and materials. An opportunity to appreciate first hand lava stone almost as if standing at the heart of a volcano. Originally conceived as a self-sustained microarchitecture, ‘Meteora’ was envisaged for re-exhibition across diverse spaces across the world. “Some of the most captivating visions emerge from a profound understanding of materials themselves, and I’ve always held admiration for-those who regard materials with a reverence akin to that for a living entity. Ranieri’s work epitomizes this philosophy. The first time I saw their work I was simultaneously astonished and captivated, evoking a desire to share that same sense of discovery of lava stone, and specifically of Ranieri’s lava stone, with others" states Nina Yashar. The decision to showcase 'Meteora' at Nilufar was a harmonious alignment of intentions and values. "Our journey is an eternal pursuit to transcend the boundaries of lava stone craftsmanship; it's a realm where unconventional beauty flourishes, defying the norms of conventional aesthetics. Nilufar stands as a sanctuary for avant-garde creators, resonating with our ethos of unwavering innovation and bold exploration. Crafting 'Meteora' for Nilufar propelled our experimentation to new heights, yielding what I perceive as the apex of our lava stone mastery thus far" states Giovani Ranieri.