Autarchy

For their installation Autarchy, Studio Formafantasma has developed a collection of functional and durable containers and lamps that have been naturally dried or low temperature baked, produced with a bio-material composed of 70% flour, 20% agricultural waste and 10% natural limestone. The differences in colors are obtained from a selection of vegetables, spices and roots that are dried, boiled or filtered for their natural dyes.

The Autarchy products represent an investigation into the possibilities of creating biodegradable clay, using easily available materials and reducing the burning temperature of normal clay from 900°C to 30-40°C. The installation symbolizes the necessity of sharing the production of valuable and sustainable products by a community of people. Autarchy opposes the easy disposability of products by combining the biodegradability of the material with a timeless, aesthetic and a long-lasting quality of hand-crafted objects.

The installation consists of containers and lampshades that are designed with inspiration from archetypical forms. The installation displays the different steps in the work process, explaining the material and the production processes of the products and their intended use. Together they symbolize an open-source approach in which information and knowledge are shared.