Words: Pia Sinha
Photography: Tom Mannion, Vicky Lam & Andrew Habeck

Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon, in collaboration with leading quartz manufacturer Caesarstone, unveiled his architectural installation ‘Stone Age Folk’ at the Palazzo Serbelloni for Fuorisalone 2017 in Milan earlier this month.

Nothing short of a masterpiece, the installation commemorates Caesarstone’s year-long collaboration with the Spanish designer for the 2017 collaboration program. The installation has many inspirations; it draws from flora, fauna and different cultures. What’s more, Hayon’s fantasy world even opens doors to African tribal influences, Hungarian myths and folklore.

The design harks back to the famous Crystal Palace built in Hyde Park, London for the Great Exhibition of 1851, combining over 40 Caesarstone colours with metal and glass.

The most interesting aspect of this architectural pavilion lies in its overall craftsmanship. Jamie has displayed his design and artistic prowess by carefully handcrafting and implanting Caesarstone’s quartz material into the metallic frame of the pavilion.

The installation also employs the use of traditional high-end stone marquetry and stained glass window techniques to create an eccentric space that is laden with colour, forms and shapes.  It’s almost phantasmagorical.

Hayon has used tribal masks and his signature clown faces on large scale wall panels displayed alongside playful carousels made of Caesarstone, on handcrafted furniture pieces and light fixtures. The overall effect is almost kaleidoscopic, enabling an onlooker to interact with the installation in an unexpected way.

Speaking about Stone Age Folk, Jaime says, I hope, with this very graphic and folkloric installation, to put a smile on people’s faces and compel them to think that they are in Milan for the furniture fair, but they have just seen a ‘funtastico’ world.

To find out more about Caeserstone, head to their website today. For information about Jaime and his designs,  click here!