Tectonic Narratives
Caged or Carried by ESTRA
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‘The body language of The Vertebra has the Caged or Carried theme embedded in it. The binary tension between the two materials becomes a sketch of new tectonic thinking,’ says Stella Qiao, ESTRA’s Head of Communication.
At its best, design is about answering questions. In this case, ESTRA Founder Philip Chung had grown fascinated by tectonic thinking in architecture. He asked: ‘Could the value of something be decided by structural truth and its interaction with time, instead of branding, narrative, or surface?’ To test this thesis, an idea formed for a new category of tectonic object: ‘Where the structure comes first, is placed in full view, and carries not just the load but the meaning.’
Chung searched for an object that could carry this idea. In the end, he chose a handbag with a visible external frame. This choice could ‘draw people’s attention to the structure first because the frame is conceptual rather than a functional necessity. This makes it ideal for the initial ideation of the tectonic subject, reversing the idea of flesh and bone.’ He named this project The Vertebra.
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Along with tectonics, Chung was also intrigued by the semiotics of materials. In the case of The Vertebra, he loved the contrast expressed between cold metal, in this case 6061 aluminium alloy and semi-aniline leather. ‘The aluminium has an almost neutral quality, with high resilience to hold the structure. It also contrasts the softer leather, adding a warm presence.’ Nothing was left to chance. Chung even had a specific idea of how the bag closure would sound; it needed to have a satisfying, ASMR-like click.
Caged or Carried is ESTRA’s first exhibition and The Vertebra its first prototype; Chung acknowledges that the design lab is at the beginning of a long journey of discovery. ‘We are curious to put the questions this project has raised to a wider group. We want to take the temperature of the physical response.’
Across three stages: encounter, proof and archive, visitors are encouraged to use their own judgement. After viewing and physically engaging with the prototype, the exhibition will feature a second space to encourage visitors to vote for ‘Caged’ or ‘Carried.’ ‘There is no right answer, it is simply how the viewer sees it. Once people have seen the prototype, all that remains is their reading and experience. We take people’s opinion seriously; we want to listen to what they have to say.’
‘The aluminium has an almost neutral quality, with high resilience to hold the structure. It also contrasts the softer leather, adding a warm presence.’ – Philip Chung
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In addition, a micro-site will also be launched during the Festival, an opportunity for people to engage remotely. ‘We see this as a way to spark conversations; we wanted to exhibit something honest enough to pose a real question, then step back and see what people bring to it that we never could,’ explains Qiao.
Looking forward, Leegoo Guo, ESTRA’s Creative Director, is planning to take this tectonic concept to the broader design community, engaging and seeking out collaborations, particularly with young talent. ‘We have a road map in our heads, it’s very exciting, and we are ready to go.’ Ultimately, adds Qiao, ‘We’re curious whether value can also come from the object itself: from a structure that leaves evidence, and time that leaves marks. Something anyone can read without needing to be told.’ First though, ESTRA plans to step back and listen to people’s responses: ‘The concept always needs to come first.’
‘We are curious to put the questions this project has raised to a wider group. We want to take the temperature of the physical response.’ – Philip Chung
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Words by Tamsin Kingswell
