In the dynamic realm of contemporary design, few artists manage to bridge the chasm between the ancient and the avant-garde with the grace and ingenuity of Quebec-based artist-designer Simon Johns. For several years, Johns has captivated audiences with his ‘Future Fossils’ collection, a series of pieces that defy conventional categorization, appearing simultaneously as relics weathered by millennia and as sculptures acutely attuned to the present moment.
Unearthing the Primordial: The Future Fossils Vision
Johns’ work is a profound meditation on time and material. His creations, which he describes as “loosely reference[ing] the sedimentary striations in million-year-old stone,” are crafted from humble yet evocative materials like gypsum cement and slip-cast stoneware. From bookshelves to tables and seating, each piece carries an inherent narrative of geological time, yet feels utterly contemporary.
A Stellar Debut at DesignTO’s “Pot-au-feu”
This past January, Johns unveiled the latest, ambitiously primordial additions to his celebrated line. These pieces took centre stage at “Pot-au-feu,” a DesignTO exhibition curated by Ensemble – a vibrant collective of Quebec’s most creative designers, artisans, and artists. Hosted in the intimate, off-the-beaten-path basement gallery, The Plumb, the exhibition was a testament to the burgeoning talent outside Toronto’s main design circuit. Amidst an impressive roster that included established names like Lambert & Fils and Darmes, one piece in particular commanded astonishing presence: the FF Magma Lamp.
The Captivating FF Magma Lamp
The FF Magma Lamp is a masterclass in material juxtaposition and organic form. Stacked boulders of ceramic and glass are elegantly embraced by a slim walnut frame, creating a light fixture that evokes a sense of the primordial, as if freshly unearthed from the earth’s core. Its aesthetic feels less like a meticulously planned CAD drawing and more like a spontaneous, iterative creation – a quality Johns himself champions. “I work more as an artist than as an industrial designer,” he reveals. “I’m not drawing a complete coherent collection from A to Z and then that’s it. It all evolves.”
This evolutionary approach was evident in the lamp’s development. Johns hand-carved three distinct styrofoam moulds – one for glass blowing, two for clay pressing – embarking on a journey of trial and error. Early versions faced challenges with disproportionate shrinkage between clay and glass, prompting Johns to refine his vision. The final iteration, with its rich dark walnut frame and warm amber glass, achieves the desired harmonious balance and tonal depth. (An original version, featuring a polished aluminum frame, remains available.) Weighing approximately 45 pounds and standing 55 inches high with an 8.5-inch depth, the FF Magma Lamp is a substantial statement piece, its thick, undulating glass appearing almost molten and alive.
The Illusive FF End Table
Johns’ fascination with sedimentary stone and linear diagonal textures extends beyond the Magma Lamp. Another striking debut at Pot-au-feu was the FF End Table. What initially appears as a voluptuously carved wooden trunk, topped with a delicate glass surface, reveals a delightful trompe l’oeil effect upon closer inspection. Its inviting grooves conceal a base of creamy clay, capped with a reflective aluminum disc. This playful deception is central to Johns’ artistic philosophy. “From the beginning, I’ve always explored materials mimicking other materials – wood mimicking stone, for instance – and how to be less and less literal, more surrealist. I like that you can’t tell what it is. It’s about real materials, but mixing them.”
Beyond Form: Experimenting with Glazes and Textures
As Johns continues to coax new guises from familiar, often organic-looking materials, his exploration deepens into the realm of glazes. At Pot-au-feu, he also introduced two new vases, showcasing his latest experiments. “I’m testing glazes and languages: things that look like fungus, lichen, things that grow on rocks,” he explains, hinting at a future where his pieces might literally seem to sprout from their environments.
Each ‘Future Fossils’ piece is imbued with its own unique imperfections, a hallmark that elevates them within the collectable design sphere. This ongoing theme, with its endless possibilities, continues to flourish in Johns’ remarkably capable hands. To delve deeper into the artist’s captivating world, visit Simon Johns’ official website. Photography courtesy of Simon Johns.
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