In a conceptual way this new body of work can be positioned between more archetypical collections like Craft (2001), Farm (2008) and Homework (2007) except the use of material differs. Although marble, in a sculptural way, can be set next to eg. bronze (as you might know a typical Studio Job material) marble is relatively ‘new’ within our portfolio. Until now we only used it ‘on the side’ in projects like Studio Job Lounge (2010), Totem of Love (2011), Ambam (2012) and the new Garden Sculpture for Faena, Miami (2013-14). Of course we love marble but we had some creative reservations of using it in our projects. Like bronze, marble is originally an ‘artist material’ rather than a ‘designer material’ and apart from few Ettore Sottsass pieces and some table tops I cannot recall significant use of marble in the field of design. That is until Marc Newson presented his ‘Marble collection’ at Gagosian NY 2007. From that moment the use of marble became one of the synonyms for the expired ‘design art’ and designers started to use, mostly white carrera marble, as the ‘raison d’être’. Sometimes to cover up less interesting objects.

For us, the use of material can never be a main topic although we are not afraid to stretch horizons of material limitations and production methods.

Referring to this new collection named ‘Détour’ there were several goals we wanted to archive. First goal was finding a true reason to use marble and therefore we needed contrast. We wanted to position the material in a new context so it eases out from it’s comfort zone. This is a proven method to create new images or, at least, unexpected images. Secondly the new collection had to say something about Studio Job; it had to be an addition to our 3-D diary which we are developing for over 10 years. A new chapter in the Book of Job: what is our story today?

The rich marble was the stimulus to explore a ‘minimal’ or ‘rational’ approach.

Within our oeuvre a fresh revival of an older frequency. Still, rational or not, visually and sculpturally we were interested in combining the marble with other materials like glass or bronze (of course). Still, minimal or not, we found it relevant to add ‘colour’ to this work by combining different marble sorts within the collection and within the object itself.

The concept ‘Detour’ was developed in 2012. Productions of the marble-bronze objects started early 2013. The first public outcome of the concept was ‘Highway to Hell’, a scenery for the Viktor & Rolf fashion show in Paris, March 2014.

• Studio Job Antwerp, 2014