Twisted Forms | Xavier Puente Vilardell
The primordial gesture is the circle. Every child will have the tendency to draw curves, not angled lines, so it’s only natural that, once we grow up, we still have an affinity for curved shapes. Brussels – based sculptor Xavier Puente Vilardell transforms blocks of wood into twirling objects. The artist states that working with wood requires a profound respect for the living creature that was once a tree, and of the specific characteristics of the wood.
Courtesy of Xavier Puente Vilardell
The sculptor was very influenced by the pine forests near the Mediterranean Sea, by their specific smell, and by the reflections of the minerals and sand that are left on the wood’s appearance. He wanted to give the wood a new life, while being true to the original form.
Courtesy of Xavier Puente Vilardell
Vilardell’s multiple curvature blends with the material’s properties in a manner that his sculptures seem not man – made, but natural born shapes. His approach is sensual, in the sense that you can almost feel the texture of the wood only by looking at the sculptures.
Courtesy of Xavier Puente Vilardell
By:Lidia Ratoi
Lidia Ratoi is a Romanian architect, educator, and researcher, currently serving as Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Architecture. With a background in both architectural design and theory, her work explores the intersections of technology, media, and politics in the built environment. Ratoi’s research focuses on the aesthetics of power, surveillance, and virtuality, with a strong interest in critical and speculative design. She has practiced internationally and exhibited in venues across Europe and Asia. Passionate about challenging conventional narratives, Ratoi integrates digital tools with philosophical inquiry, encouraging experimental approaches to architecture. Her contributions continue to shape emerging discourses in design and architectural pedagogy.