mexican artisans handcraft sculptural copper mirrors for manu bañó’s OBJ series
through hammering, the copper gains texture, structure, and volume, allowing it to stand independently with a monolithic presence.
manu Bañó expands his obj series
Designer Manu Bañó delves into the inherent properties of copper with his new sculptural mirror series expanding his ongoing OBJ series. Crafted in Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico — a town steeped in a long tradition of goldsmith craftsmanship — the pieces are shaped by the hands of local artisans, born from the hammering of thin copper sheets and gaining a new strength and three-dimensionality through their manipulation.
The wall and floor mirrors of the OBJ-08 series focus on the reflective nature of the metal, which when polished transforms into a mirror-like surface. These sculptural pieces are designed to occupy spaces typically reserved for paintings on the wall or sculptures on the ground. The wall mirror in particular comprises duplicated, symmetrical forms — one concave and the other convex – intended to be displayed together as a unified piece.
sculptural mirrors explore inherent properties of copper
Copper, when tempered by fire, transcends its two-dimensional origins to claim a three-dimensional presence through human manipulation. In its finish, the marks of the material’s production process are evident and embraced by the designer, free from any artificial patinas or excessive polish. Continuing his exploration of copper’s versatility and limitations, Manu Bañó OBJ-08 floor mirror comprises two identical pieces polished on both faces.
Through hammering techniques, the copper gains both texture and structure, deformed and voluminous, allowing it to stand independently. It is a monolithic object that occupies spaces that might normally be adorned with sculptures, embodying a candid expression of its own manufacturing – a formal exercise devoid of pretension, yet brimming with artistic integrity.
project info:
name: OBJ-08 Sculptural Mirrors
designer: Manu Bañó
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