In a world increasingly defined by binaries—digital versus analog, natural versus artificial—Ambitious emerges as a harmonious chord, resonating at the intersection of biology, materiality, and digital fabrication. Founded by Matthew Catania, a Research Architect with a masterful grasp of material behaviors, Ambitious is less a lab and more a crucible where new alchemies of form and function are born.
The project “Digital Artefacts” serves as a gallery of these alchemies, a curated space where each object is a note in a larger, complex composition. The Clayful series, for instance, is a playful yet profound exploration of form and material, offering a range of objects that are as much about the process of their creation as they are about their final form.
Consider “VESSEL – W,” a decorative vase that seems to undulate as if caught in a gentle breeze. Crafted from 3D-printed white earthenware, its form is a study in controlled chaos, a delicate balance between rigidity and fluidity. Then there’s “VAZE – W,” another vase, but one that opens up, its form more expansive, as if reaching out to the world. While both pieces share the same material and technology, their forms engage in a dialogue—one introverted, the other extroverted, yet both equally eloquent.
The lampshades in the series, “LAMP – T” and “LAMP – W,” continue this dialogue but add a new layer—light. The red earthenware of “LAMP – T” seems to absorb light, giving it a warm, earthy glow, while the white earthenware of “LAMP – W” reflects it, creating a brighter, more ethereal effect. These are not just objects; they are characters in a narrative, each with its own voice, its own story to tell.
Take, for instance, the “FLOW” objects—light pendants that seem to defy gravity with their undulating forms. Whether it’s “FLOW – W” in white earthenware or “FLOW – T” in red, these pieces are like visual haikus, capturing the essence of movement in a static form. They engage in a dialogue with other objects in the series, such as “VESSEL – W” and “VAZE – W,” each with its own distinct personality yet all sharing a common language of form and material.
What makes these artefacts truly compelling is their bespoke nature. Each piece is unique, a celebration of imperfections that are not flaws but features, adding layers of complexity to their forms. These are not mass-produced items but crafted sculptures, each a testament to the intricate dance between the digital and the tactile.
In sum, Ambitious is not just pushing boundaries; it’s erasing them, creating a new lexicon of form and function that challenges our traditional understanding of both. It’s not about consumerism; it’s about criticism, a call to rethink, reimagine, and ultimately redefine what materiality means in the digital age.
