ERUMPERE
ERUMPERE represents my experience in Iceland, the journey in a wonderful land of ice and fire. Exploring volcanic materials generated by Icelandic eruptions, focusing on their physical, aesthetic, and environmental potential. The goal was to develop a collection of objects that investigates materials produced by volcanoes that are still active today, taking Icelandic soil as a central point of interest due to its intense volcanic and geothermal activity: lava, basalt, pumice and volcanic ash.
Volcanic materials make up most of Iceland’s soil, yet despite their unique properties and vast potential, they are often underestimated and underused. This project is conceived as an extensive material exploration: lava stone, pumice, volcanic ash, and basalt were selected and analyzed through varied working techniques designed to highlight their intrinsic qualities. Beyond the outcome, the project represents a personal journey, an experimental process that holds deep emotional and formative value.
Surtur is a sharply geometric vase with a small opening at the top, designed to hold a minimal bouquet composed mainly of dried plants or species that require no watering. The object emphasizes the weight, hardness, and roughness of lava stone while revealing hidden internal characteristics. Its form is determined by the natural spires, cavities, and fractures of volcanic rock, combined with precise cuts. The material is porous and permeable, concealing crystals such as olivine, recognizable by its green-yellow tones. Over time, oxidation transforms the lava stone’s surface, shifting its color toward deep burgundy red. The result is an object that
is imposing yet simple, raw yet elegant.
Although pumice is a rough material, it also possesses a surprising delicacy and elegance. The pumice used for Hekla displays a wide range of densities and colors, including the distinctive “golden pumice” for which the vulcano Hekla is known. These stones are combined into a terrazzo, making the material itself the focal point
of the vase. The linear shape is highly versatile and adaptable to different environments. Thanks to its light tones and neutral palette, the object integrates seamlessly into various contexts without dominating the space, allowing the material’s subtle qualities to emerge naturally.
This helical shaped vase is made from a biomaterial derived from Icelandic natural waste, including fish processing byproducts such as jelly and bones, combined with ash from the island’s frequent volcanic eruptions. Its surface pattern is inspired by the streaks and folds of cooled lava, which also resemble the texture of tree bark. Designed to be planted directly into the ground, the object supports soil reforestation. As time and atmospheric conditions cause the vase to slowly degrade, it releases nutrients that nourish the plant it contains. Its tapered shape facilitates insertion into the soil, reinforcing its functional role. The tree that sustains the universe, hence the name Yggdrassil, has the peculiarity of being generated at random, altering its shape with each new piece that is produced.
Basalt determines most of the Icelandic soil.
It has a very dark color, close to black, and is very resistant to heat.
It can be observed that this mineral, when melting, creates a dotted texture along the entire surface.
These bubbles are shiny and dark, with streaks on the light brown. The shape allows the insertion of two bouquets of flowers which can have a relationship of background and protagonist, the flowers in the foreground with more gaudy colors and neutral plants to emphasize the main one. The shape is soft but raw, given by its most emotional, expressive and artistic creation. The vase was in fact created by four hands and in fact represents the relationship between two people. The concept revolves around two complementary elements which complement each other creating a single one. For this reason, the name of the vase, Freyja, is inspired by the Viking goddess of war and love.