Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 30
Occupation: Artist.
Instagram: @carla_cascales_alimbau
Hometown: Barcelona.
Studio location: Barcelona.
Describe what you make: I’m an independent artist and designer living and working in Barcelona. My work is based on finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in earthiness, of revering authenticity above all.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: I can’t think of only one artwork. I’ll quote my good friend, Aryz, who always says that his best work is the next one, so I hope my future projects will be the best ones.
Describe the problem your work solves: There are times in interior design or architecture projects where my artworks must engage in a dialogue with the space. They need to understand the light and the people who will live in that place to bring peace and harmony. When I make a more personal work, like exhibitions, then it speaks much more of feelings, of being able to express myself. In that case, I don’t consider my work as solving a problem.
Describe the project you are working on now: I’m designing a collection of sculptural gold jewelry inspired by Posidonia, a very special seagrass from the Mediterranean Sea. I’m very excited to be able to work on pieces that people can wear or take with them every day. It never happens with paintings or sculptures.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: I’m going to do an art residency in Japan this September with my sister Marta Cascales, who’s a pianist and composer. I’m so inspired by the Japanese ancestral culture that I’m looking forward to getting there and learning everything I can.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Natural light and freedom.
What you do when you’re not working: I really value spending quality time with my family and friends. But what inspires me most is nature. I try to spend time by the sea and in the forest. I also love to dance and go to music festivals, to play sports, and feeling like my body is strong. I’m currently learning how to play tennis.
Sources of creative envy: I’m fascinated by Brutalism (Le Corbusier) and Modernism (Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Tadao Ando); the aesthetic vision of the Japanese wabi-sabi; the force of Abstract Expressionism in painting (Helen Frankenthaler, Franz Kline); the delicacy of minimalism (Agnes Martin, Carl Andre); the masters Constantin Brancusi, Hans Arp, and Isamu Noguchi; the trace of Matisse; the sensuality of Georgia O’Keeffe… and I’m sure a lot more!
The distraction you want to eliminate: When I have many things in my head and changes suddenly appear, I get stressed. I can’t concentrate on anything and I spend all my time thinking and not really doing. I’d like to feel calm even though everything around me changes or unexpected projects appear.
Concrete or marble? Marble.
High-rise or townhouse? High-rise.
Remember or forget? Remember.
Aliens or ghosts? Ghosts.
Dark or light? Light.
