M. THORPE UNITY
Designer
Marc ThorpeManufacture
VeniniCirca
2019
Description
The Unity edition was inspired by the idea of cultural confluence through craftsmanship and design as New York-based designer, Marc Thorpe brings together his artisan collaborators in Dakar, Senegal, and the glass manufacturers of Venini in Murano. It is in Italy that Thorpe’s journey to West Africa started in 2015 when Patrizia Moroso introduced the designer to the weavers of Dakar. Deeply inspired by the cultural encounter and the shared respect for traditions, Thorpe bridges the design and craftsmanship legacy of the Senegalese weavers with the time-honored glasswork carried on by Venini’s glass masters. The Unity collection for Venini is a celebration of our shared humanity and cultural heritage. The vessel portion is blown by Venini's master glassmakers and hand-cut using the battuto technique, invented by Carlo Scarpa through his collaborations with Venini. This technique involves the craftsman using a metal wheel to create an irregular faceted surface on the glass. The result is a textural and multi-dimensional piece that highlights the depth of color in the glass. The base portion is crafted using a metal frame to provide a supporting structure for the threads to be woven across. This frame is wrapped with colored nylon threads, traditionally used for fishing nets, then woven across vertically and horizontally to create the textile form.
Marc Thorpe
Marc Thorpe
Marc Thorpe Design was founded in 2010 by architect and industrial designer Marc Thorpe. Thorpe is known internationally for his innovative and dynamic work, taking a rigorous approach to the integration of architecture, design and technology.
Thorpe and his team collaborate with clients to develop and execute brand growth strategies. The studio conceptualizes design while building brands, and has the resources to produce consistent communication platforms. These include progressive architecture, interior design, digital media, graphic design, furniture design, product design, retail and exhibit design.
The studio designs relationships. The focus of Marc Thorpe Design is in the systemic intersections a project presents. In order to discover a project’s potential, the studio works closely with clients and collaborators to foster new ideas, establish common vision and innovative strategies of approach to nurture the design process. The results are design solutions with the highest degree of precision, quality and character.
The studio offers itself as an open system of exchange. Thorpe has dedicated the studio to the research, professional practice and education of systems thinking through the discipline of architecture and design. Thorpe states, “We believe in a holistic design approach, which engages the social components of space and form.” Collaborations with digital artists, interactive designers, new media designers, sound and lighting engineers and social media experts have advanced the practice’s diversity and knowledge.
Marc Thorpe
Marc Thorpe Design was founded in 2010 by architect and industrial designer Marc Thorpe. Thorpe is known internationally for his innovative and dynamic work, taking a rigorous approach to the integration of architecture, design and technology.
Thorpe and his team collaborate with clients to develop and execute brand growth strategies. The studio conceptualizes design while building brands, and has the resources to produce consistent communication platforms. These include progressive architecture, interior design, digital media, graphic design, furniture design, product design, retail and exhibit design.
The studio designs relationships. The focus of Marc Thorpe Design is in the systemic intersections a project presents. In order to discover a project’s potential, the studio works closely with clients and collaborators to foster new ideas, establish common vision and innovative strategies of approach to nurture the design process. The results are design solutions with the highest degree of precision, quality and character.
The studio offers itself as an open system of exchange. Thorpe has dedicated the studio to the research, professional practice and education of systems thinking through the discipline of architecture and design. Thorpe states, “We believe in a holistic design approach, which engages the social components of space and form.” Collaborations with digital artists, interactive designers, new media designers, sound and lighting engineers and social media experts have advanced the practice’s diversity and knowledge.
