26.09.2017
Gateways, an installation consisting of four four-metre high ceramic tiled gates has been unveiled today by Turkishceramics in the central fountain space on Granary Square, King’s Cross for designjunction as part of the London Design Festival. As one of the main partners of the show, Turkishceramics has collaborated with London-based designer Adam Nathaniel Furman to work on a temporary, site-specific installation featuring contemporary ceramic tiles from Turkey.
Designed for one of London’s most iconic public spaces, Gateways consists of four bold and colourful gates that draw people to wander through and experience the rich history of ceramics in Turkey. Each gate is distinct and encompasses a different design story in a vibrant and contemporary language, ranging from the artisanal handcrafted ceramics of the Ottoman Empire to the innovative products of today.
The front gate is covered in hand painted tiles that reference the timeless Iznik tradition of Turkish ceramics, and tells the story of paradise. The second structure, the Wood & Stone gate, speaks of traditional architectural materials, but plays with them in their new and increasingly popular ceramic form. The Retro Gate uses high durability tiles of the kind perfect for active public spaces and echoes the hues and forms of the funky seventies, while the forth structure, the Metro Gate, features black and white bevelled tiles that are inspired by the utilitarian spaces of Edwardian architecture.
Reflecting the quality, strong design values and innovation of the industry, Adam Nathaniel Furman’s design is highly-curated and creative. Commenting on the design, Furman said:
“From the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the Safavid facades of Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square, and Sinan’s divine Ottoman mosques, to the maiolica cloisters of Santa Chiara in Naples, the gothic terracotta of the soaring Woolworth building in New York, and the famous red glazed ceramic Underground Stations of London, ceramics have always been, and continue to be, both the most historic, resonant and traditional, as well as the most fresh, perpetually surprising, delightful and exciting of architectural materials. There is no other architectural treatment that has remained as fresh, relevant and cool as ceramics has from a thousand years BC, right through into the 21st Century.
Hailing from a country that is home to an unbroken lineage of some of the greatest ceramic traditions and deployment of the most up to date technologies and aesthetics, Turkish ceramics perfectly represents both the future, and the glorious past. I feel honoured Turkisceramics has invited me to create an installation using this incredibly versatile and rich building material.”
Bahadir Kayan, Chairman of Turkishceramics said:
“This is our first year at designjunction and we are excited to have brought such a bold and immersive installation to King’s Cross’ Granary Square, which is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse open spaces. Adam’s design for Gateways is a very thoughtful and contemporary representation of Turkey’s rich and colourful history of ceramics, showcasing handcrafted artisanal ceramics of the Ottoman Empire and innovative modern day products. We are proud of the heritage and influence of ceramics in Turkey and delighted to be able to share a piece of this unique craftsmanship with all visitors to the area.”
Turkishceramics is one of the main partners of this year’s designjunction. Gateways can be visited at Granary Square in King’s Cross during designjunction from 21-24 September.
Official installation hashtag: #gateways
