Evocative, elegantly nostalgic, and measured in her approach, Delfina Rabán (1990, Argentina) studied graphic design at the University of Buenos Aires—where she also taught—before travelling to Barcelona to refine her conceptual practice and complete a Master’s in Artistic Research and Design. She collaborates actively with various artists and designers.
A fifth-generation marble maker, Gastón Badii (1989, Argentina) spent his childhood hopping between slabs of stone, forging a unique blend of sculpture and research. His work, rooted in millions of years of geological transformation, draws on the erosion of rocks and the force of ancient materials. Working from his studio in José Leon Suárez, he continues to explore karstic relief, shaped by insights from an initiatory journey through Italy’s quarries.
***
Which neighbourhood are you in?
During our stay in Montreal, we stayed in the Mile End neighbourhood. We enjoyed very nice and inspiring walks on the way to the Bon Train atelier. Our favourite part of the day was crossing the park and then having a mocha latte with our colleague Raf Khoury on the way. Also, return to the apartment and see the snow until we fall asleep.
What do you do?
We are Badii.Raban, a material research and design studio based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our recent series “Mobilier de chantier” was selected to be exhibited in the second edition of Bois Magique, a local project that brings together experimental design in Montreal.
Mobilier de chantier is a research in design, in which we approach the furniture that is executed during the process of building, remodelling, repairing, demolishing or maintaining a structure, building or system in Argentina.
Mobilier de chantier site functions as an assistance, support and accompaniment for the workers who coexist on the site during the construction period. Creating their own parts, they support a logic of fast execution, low cost and temporary use.
These pieces will be discarded in a dump along with the rest of elements left over once the work is completed.
Mobilier de chantier tries to claim these designs that are often not recognised by bringing them to the front, turning something that a priori does not seem necessary, as essential for our local recognition.
One of the most fun stages of this project was going through different works and starting to recognise these pieces as a potential series.
They were paused and sporadic tours that lasted a year, and where we went back, fueling our interest. We continue to think, imagine, and develop this research actively and continuously.
The selection of Bois Magique has had a profound impact on our career, being this experience was the first time that our pieces were exhibited outdoors. It also allowed us to get to know the work of our colleagues in Montreal, with whom we connect every day. We have been received with absolute affection and feel that Montreal is a city with people very willing to collaborate with each other and with very deep material investigations. We were surprised by the use of woodwork in joinery as a very concrete line of professionalism in this profession. The variety of raw materials is very extensive, and we invite you to experiment with this material.
What are you currently working on?
About our recent future
Currently, after our trip to Montreal, we are packing again for the “Working Stone” program in Manazuru, Tokyo, Japan. This programme is run by the architecture school of the London College of Architecture, and for us it will be an absolutely wonderful opportunity to get to know the country from a perspective linked to our work. We will visit a stone quarry and develop a work in collaboration with the rest of the participants. We are moved.
About our next series, ” Tiny Tools”
In parallel, we are designing our next series, which we will call “ Tiny Tools”. This series was totally inspired during our stay in Montreal. During the working days in the atelier Bon Train, we discover very particular and special objects, made by our colleagues to store or protect their tools. We also find those objects that are tools of specific use within a trade, such as a scotch tape holder or a place to store pencils. We are interested in reproducing a series in granite with reference to these objects that occupy part of the daily life of people who work with their hands, they are small objects that transmit the craft behind them, which keep a special gesture and some execution intelligence, because, many times they are made by the same craftsman for himself, with the exact qualities of what he needs to use.
Where can we find your work?
You can find our work virtually in @badii.raban and face-to-face, we will be at Mapa Feria in April in Buenos Aires.
