9 Questions with Catrinel S.tudio

Catrinel S.tudio by Catrinel Sabaciag is a Romanian product designer featured in Al-Tiba9 magazine ISSUE04, interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj.

Catrinel Sabaciag is a Romanian product designer and artist who studied product design in Edinburgh and Lund and has worked in Eindhoven, Sectie-C. Her work bridges product design, installation, and sculpture in a multidisciplinary approach that often finds its roots in science and philosophy, while the making, quite experimental, is oriented towards material exploration.

Driven by her interest in perception and movement, the themes she tackles most are time, entropy, light, and nature. Through her interactive objects, she designs experiences that challenge perception and attempt to visualize and engage the invisible forces that surround us. Bringing reality in a new light, in her process, she uses a mix of advanced manufacturing techniques, such as laser cutting, as well as classical hands-on ones, such as casting. The objects often embody a scaffolding of technical components, which is used to mimic an organic/natural phenomenon.

Catrinelstudio.com | @catrinel_s.tudio

Can you describe for us how your artistic vision was born?

It was a need to translate the way I see the world into tangible objects and experiences mixed with great curiosity and hunger for experiment and exploration. I often draw parallels between natural laws, science, and philosophy, which enables me to understand the phenomena and objects around from a wide range of viewpoints. Usually, I feel like there is a fantastic world to discover underneath the surface, and this is something that has been with me since I was little. I believe that this vision was not born, it was there from the start, it just unraveled itself as time passed by. I would spend hours in my grandfather's chemistry lab, fascinated by the changes in materials and doing all sorts of experiments. This interest translated later into a design process built on material exploration and experimentation.

What is the intention behind your art?

Through my work, I try to question perception by making the viewer realize that it only covers a part of reality, can easily be fooled and is mediated. Morfoza Lamp, which displays the spectrum of an innovative white light, is an excellent example of this concept, making the invisible forces that surround us and govern nature visibly, engagingly. I feel like we are often taking for granted phenomena such as light dispersion, circadian rhythms, entropy, gravity, etc. My intentions embody these forces, such as entropy (Urma Clock and Mira Lamp ), gravity, and frequency (Timescapes: From Clocks to Outerspace) and hopefully flash a new light on our reality, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary.

You studied Illustration & Graphics in an Art Highschool and after at the University of Edinburgh, earned a BA Hons Product Design Diploma. How does this influence you as a multidisciplinary visual artist and designer?

Having studied arts during high school and specializing in graphics has given me a valuable set of skills such as hand drawing, sketching, and given me guidelines about proportions, compositions, colors, etc. I am now working in the field of product design/3d artworks, and my former graphics training helps in presenting my work. It enables me to design a coherent and strong visual identity. I studied product design at the University of Edinburgh, where focusing on problem-solving and developing maker skills. Then, at Lund University in Sweden, where I confronted Scandinavian design. Finally, at Studio Nacho Carbonell in Eindhoven, focusing on material exploration, experimentation, and poetical composition.

Can you describe for our readers your complex artistic production, how it is rooted in science and philosophy, and the experimental, explorative techniques for our readers? How does your studio team complete this multidisciplinary process?

My work finds its inspiration in science and has a narrative that is informed by philosophical concepts and themes. For example, Mira is an object inspired by our continuous fight against entropy and impermanence. Drawing on the topic of decay and regeneration, the object reacts to human presence by decomposing itself in an entropic motion when no one is around, dimming its lights. At the same time, the reverse happens when the object is approached. For this project, the scientific source of inspiration was the double-slit experiment, a demonstration that small particles of light and matter can behave both as particles and waves and suggests that the very act of observing a particle has a dramatic effect on its behavior. This scientific experiment led me to investigate and rethink the enigmatic interdependence between objects and people: How does presence change matter? Do things have a life of their own when no one is there to observe them?

In the studio, a lot of experiments are required, from motion, balance, mechanical, optical, and light tests to the development of new composites. Often, the making is a mediating process between my desire to shape the materials in a certain way, and the material and process limitations, a delicate balance between surrender and discipline is vital.

Who is someone whose creativity you admire?

The list is long! However, if I would have to choose one living artist, it would be Olafur Eliasson, his world is something that I can genuinely relate to, and his creativity is endless.

What is one of the most exciting and/or challenging projects you have worked on?

Most of my latest projects have been quite challenging, but I think Morfoza, the project I am currently working on, is the most exciting. I work with new and unique combinations of materials. I think most of the time; however, the most challenging projects end up being the most exciting ones. The most challenging part of my work is the interactive and dynamic components.

Can you tell us about some of the upcoming projects you are looking forward to?

The next project embodies the dichotomy between natural/man-made and infinite/entropy. It incorporates natural elements and minimalist shapes. Another exciting project will be a new alternative clock depicting the passage of time in a more organic manner, as a continuous change of phase.

What is your favorite escape from your busy urban professional life to get new and fresh inspiration?

Most of the time, walks in nature clear my mind. In my hometown, there are a lot of wild, natural places where I go for a break, like the Hoia-Baciu forest, which is world-renowned for its ghosts and mystery stories.

Lastly, who is Catrinel S.tudio in three words?

Experimental, multidisciplinary, genuine.