MATERIA EXPANDIDA
by Legado Artesano Castilla-La Mancha
Expanded Matter is a sculpture that explores the encounter between two materials historically considered opposites: rigid, shiny, cold sheet metal, associated with industry and often seen as a humble material, and wicker (or straw), warm and organic, linked to craftsmanship and rural life.
Designed by Tomás Alía from Estudio Caramba, the piece proposes a contemporary dialogue in which the artisan communities of metal and natural fibre not only meet, but collaborate, interrelate and transform each other, generating a new common territory.
The work is articulated as a sculptural forest constructed from tinplate and wicker: a symbolic landscape where the hard and the flexible, the cold and the warm coexist in balance.
This forest represents hybrid cultural nature, born from the intersection of tradition, material and contemporary design.
Legado Artesano, promoted by ETURIA, is the mark of excellence for craftsmanship in Castilla-La Mancha, designed to raise awareness of the region's high-quality craftsmanship and protect the legacy of its master craftsmen. Created in 2023, this brand brings together nearly 700 artisans and 71 active trades, promoting a collective identity that combines tradition and modernity. Its work focuses on reviving traditional techniques and adapting them to contemporary needs, reinforcing pride in craftsmanship and its cultural contribution.