Beatriz Mayorca

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Roots Chairs: Functional art pieces created to stand the outdoor environment

The Mingle between Concrete, Glass Mosaic & Metal

Roots Chairs are a sublime & contemporary representation of my roots. A system of precise, graceful, and fresh designs was arranged in a harmonium composition to represent Venezuela's flora and fauna, from the rainforest to its coasts, from the Caribbean Sea to its countryside.

Material & Technique

Motivated by the ancient mosaics of Egypt and mixed with the Italian terrazzo technique, I used a contemporary approach for mosaic art, where each design is bounded to the concrete composite, then polished to achieve a smooth, shiny, and uniform surface. Exposing in that way, the mosaic on the slick concrete surface enhances the delicate craftsmanship of the finished piece.

Minimal, clean lines and the combination of positive and negative spaces were considered to achieve a harmonious design and smart use of the mosaic composition through the chairs’ surfaces.

All-Around Artistic Seating Design

The opening space of the metal leg was an essential factor in producing an all-around artistic seating design. A design feature that acts as a frame for the mosaic artwork depicted on the back side of the concrete ‘legs’ of both chairs. A black powder-coated steel leg also brings balance to the overall composition.

In Display at...

The Roots Chairs are currently on display and for sale at the 2018 Vision Makers Biennial. It’s the 108|Contemporary’s signature-juried biennial exhibition. A biennial is a show that "features the work of contemporary fine craft-based artists from a seven-state region who bridge cutting-edge concepts with traditional skills as they challenge the boundaries of art, craft, and design."