siba sahabi: bucchero paper porcelain

‘bucchero’ paper porcelain photo © karin nussbaumer

the series of paper vessels takes inspiration from characteristic black etruscan ceramics and is hand-crafted from black wallpaper used for its strength and resistance to light. the ‘bucchero’ series comprises nine pieces including carafes, goblets and cups. siba sahabi (daughter of a german mother and an iranian father) showed her work in in the iranian sector of designboom’s exhibition asia now at dwell on design in los angeles, in june 2010.

‘bucchero’ series photo © karin nussbaumer

‘the etruscan was a folk that lived 800 to 100 B.C. in the toscana, a region of italy. my ‘bucchero’ ceramic is black because the pottery was fired in an atmosphere charged with carbon monoxide instead of oxygen. this technique is known as reducing firing – it leads to a shiny metallic look. the etruscan imitated oriental metal works that were imported from cypress and phoenicia  (modern day lebanon and syria). in this means western knowledge of porcelain production was combined with eastern sense of aesthetics. for me that is a beautiful example of how one culture has influence on another one leading to renewal and cultural richness. my intention is to make a link between history and  presence, emphasizing the ongoing importance of cultural melting pots.’ — siba sahabi

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

siba sahabi in her working space photo © annemarijne bax

the making process of ‘bucchero’ photo © annemarijne bax

‘tea dance’ photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © karin nussbaumer

photo © paul barbera of ‘where they create’

photo © paul barbera of ‘where they create’

siba sahabi photo © paul barbera of ‘where they create’

iran in the asia now exhibition image © designboom

siba sahabi currently is living in amsterdam.