The Newlyn Kettle
Reimagining everyday objects made in harmony with nature using endangered crafts.
The need to surrender our anthropocentric behaviour has given rise to a new epoch in human history: the Symbiocene [Greek sumbiosis, or companionship]. Inspired by this idea, this project investigates the possibilities of human– nonhuman collaborations which challenge our indiscriminate use of resources and open a dialogue about our collective impact on the environment at large.
The Newlyn Kettle is an ongoing exploration of our relationship with nature which is expressed through craft. Historically, the United Kingdom has been home to a plethora of crafts but they are gradually losing their significance. Based in the seaside town of Newlyn, I collaborated with The Copper Works to reintroduce the endangered craft of copper-smithing into our everyday lives.
Building on my relationship with nature, I complemented the craft with the landscape of Newlyn. By working with the sea, I intend to acknowledge the role of nature in the making process and allow it to leave an impression on the copper. The beauty of nature lies in its unpredictability and spontaneity. The salts in the sea react with the copper to create a vibrant, iridescent patina on its surface. The environment leaves a trace on the object, evoking a sense of the place where it was made.
The Newlyn Kettle is the first artefact born through these collaborations. An archetypical, mundane object designed to be mass manufactured is now an authentic testament to the craft and nature of Newlyn. It is a conscious shift from conventional manufacturing techniques and is intended to question how we value and perceive the products we use every day.
Jui Apte
jui.apte28@gmail.com
juiapte.com