Experimental Chinese studio BUZAO aims to break the boundary between product and art, and its Dyeing Marble exhibition at this year’s Maison&Objet presented furniture that did just that. Exploring organic simulacra, BUZAO’s work analyses the jewellery industry’s practice of colouring marble to look like jade, extracting and enhancing the effects of the artificial manmade process.

BUZAO carried out experiments on the colouring stability of approximately 10 kinds of common marbles to explore the effect of industrial colour on natural texture. The process involved drip infusing the dye slowly and continuously into the marble so that it seeps out to the surface. As the colour spreads naturally through the stone, it intersects with the texture to produce a random effect.

The installation at Maison&Objet demonstrated this experimental process, rather than a finished product, with the marble furniture pieces hooked up to the dye IV. Visitors could see the effect of the dye as it spread through the marble surface and slowly changed over time. By enhancing the organic attributes through artificial intervention, BUZAO’s installation presented an abstract example of how industry and nature coexist.

For more information about BUZAO, get in touch or make an appointment to visit the Remodern showroom to view the collections.