Docho Hydrangea Garden
San 2-1, Jinam-ri, Docho-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Ranieri, renowned for its mastery in transforming volcanic rock into contemporary art and design expressions, is proud to contribute with bespoke lava tiles for the creation of 숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere) by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson. Unveiled in November 2024 on Docho Island, South Korea, this immersive artwork is part of the Shinan Art Island Project, an initiative by Shinan County that celebrates the region's natural beauty and reimagines its environment through public art.
Shinan County, Korea's largest archipelago with 1,004 islands, is home to the Shinan Tidal Flats, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site recognized for its diverse flora and fauna. The Shinan Art Island Project honors this natural richness, with several islands hosting a unique museum or artwork. Olafur Eliasson’s 숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere) is the first project to be realised.
NATURE MEETS ART: RANIERI'S CRAFTSMANSHIP IN OLAFUR ELIASSON'S ‘숨결의 지구 (BREATHING EARTH SPHERE)’
At the heart of Ranieri’s philosophy lies the transformative potential of volcanic rock. Drawing on decades of expertise, Ranieri masterfully elevates lava stone’s natural textures and rich hues, crafting bespoke works that merge tradition with innovation. Through artisanal techniques, the company honors the raw, irregular beauty of the material while unlocking its boundless creative possibilities.
Set within the volcanic landscape of Docho Island, Olafur Eliasson’s 숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere) offers visitors an immersive and contemplative experience. The artist is renowned for blending natural phenomena with human sensory experiences, harnessing elemental forces such as light, water, and air to challenge the way we perceive our surroundings. 숨숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere) continues this exploration, providing a fitting canvas for his artistic vision within the Shinan Art Island Project.
The journey begins along a scenic, tree-lined path that leads to a tranquil bench beneath a solitary Korean Hackberry tree, inviting a moment of reflection. From there, visitors enter the heart of the artwork—a spherical subterranean space that serves as both a sensory and meditative encounter. Inside, Ranieri’s lava stone tiles come to life in a seamless interplay of color and form.
«There are no corners in 숨숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere), no sense of horizon or limit. In fact, there are no walls, ceiling, or floor», – explains Eliasson – «Standing there, you may feel, simply, a sense of presence, here and now, within the sphere. Transitioning from red at the bottom to green at the top, the tiles relate intuitively to the earth, to the soil, and to the greenery of plant life. The polyhedrons conjured around you may bring associations to the crystals in the soil, the tiny nutrients that give life to us all».
Ranieri’s artisans worked closely with Eliasson and his team to bring his vision to life, leveraging the company’s expertise in cutting and finishing lava stone to create intricate tile arrangements that shift with the viewer’s movement. The choice of lava stone not only links the artwork to the island’s geological history but also becomes a key medium for Eliasson’s inquiry into how materials shape our understanding of space. Through this connection to the earth, 숨숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere) invites reflection on our relationship with natural resources and the environment around us.
«Collaborating with Olafur Eliasson on 숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere) perfectly aligns with Ranieri’s vision of transforming lava stone through artistic partnerships. This project challenged us to cover a spherical form with 1,200 distinct pieces in 24 colors, requiring extraordinary precision. It allowed us to push the boundaries of craftsmanship while reimagining an ancient material in a contemporary context. The work honors Docho Island’s volcanic history and deepens our understanding of how art, nature, and design intersect. Ultimately, it’s a tribute to the dialogue between craftsmanship and creativity, where materials shape perception and inspire reflection» describes Giovanni Ranieri, CEO of Ranieri Lava Stone.
By combining Ranieri’s artisanal craftsmanship with Eliasson’s creativity, 숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere) becomes a compelling expression of their shared dialogue with the natural world.
Ph: Olafur Eliasson, '숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere),' 2024; Installation view: Docho Island, Shinan County, South Jeolla, South Korea, 2024; Photo: Kyungsub Shin; Commissioned by Shinan County © 2024 Olafur Eliasson
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