michal fargo: else

‘else’ by michal fargo images courtesy of michal fargo

recent graduate michal fargo has created ‘else’ as her final project at the bezalel academy of art and design in jerusalem. examining the gaps between craft and design, this collection creates new ceramic surfaces by eliminating the mold from casting, using sponges instead. this not only frees up the design process, but also limits ecological damages by forgoing the use of plaster: molds of this material are often thrown away after only 100 casts, and the option to recycle them is not available in all parts of the world.

fargo explains: ‘by creating the sponge modeling working technique, that does not require molds, I was able to design free forms that are not restricted by parting lines and pouring points, I was also able to get different and diverse surfaces. the technique is very simple–using sponge models and dipping them into especially composed porcelain mix.’

new textures are enabled by the sponge modeling process

different possible forms

colors can be applied to the textured surfaces, as with the blue form at right

detail

aerial view

colors can also be added in layers to add further texture

pinning sponges to create each form

casting process

casting process