Gravitas collection by Vincent Van Duysen for Arca.
Photo: Nick Hudson

Vincent Van Duysen Debuts Collection of Carved Stone Furniture During Miami Art Week

Unveiled in an immersive installation at Arca Wynwood, the 18-piece Gravitas array is inspired by the artworks of Isamu Noguchi, Anish Kapoor, James Turrell, and Roni Horn

Vincent Van Duysen with one of his new Gravitas designs making their debut at Arca Wynwood during Miami Art Week. Photo: Nick Hudson

While Miami Art Week is already an overwhelming visual feast, one installation is sure to appeal to all the senses. Opening to the public on December 7 at Arca Wynwood is “Gravitas,” polymathic creative Vincent Van Duysen’s 18-piece furniture collection crafted from carved stone.

“As our guests step into the exhibition at Arca, an immediate sense of immersion and protection will envelop them,” Van Duysen tells Galerie. “A unique relationship unfolds with the pieces on display. The exhibition space has been meticulously designed to exude darkness and contemplation. Every sensory aspect has been considered: walking on lava stone gravel, the faint sound of a distant trickling river accompanies the discovery of each piece in the collection. It is a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between humanity and nature.”

Gravitas library stands by Vincent Van Duysen for Arca. Photo: Nick Hudson

Gravitas stool by Vincent Van Duysen for Arca. Photo: Nick Hudson

The collection of tables, seating, and shelving is a decided departure from the more streamlined, minimalist pieces he designs for Molteni & C, where he is creative director, and Zara Home. The Arca works embody more organic forms that celebrate colors and textures found in nature.

“For this collection, we aligned with Vincent’s emphasis on the purity of aesthetics and elements, forging a genuine connection with the tactility, serenity, and elegance of natural stone,” says Gerardo Cortina, CEO of Arca. “The intentional textural variations in each piece pay homage to the innate beauty of the materials selected, infusing the furniture with a distinctive quality that is accentuated through meticulous craftsmanship.”

Gravitas dining table by Vincent Van Duysen for Arca. Photo: Nick Hudson

Gravitas stool by Vincent Van Duysen for Arca. Photo: Nick Hudson

On display in Arca’s Wynwood space through next fall, the pieces are carved by craftsmen and artisans using Porfido rock from Italy, Cafesina from Spain, Lava Stone from Mexico, and Carrara Marble from Italy. Presented in a one-of-a-kind immersive exhibition conceptualized by Van Duysen, the furniture collection draws influence from the creative oeuvre of visionary talents Isamu Noguchi, Anish Kapoor, James Turrell, and Roni Horn.

“Natural materials are the focus of my creations. They instill a sense of serenity and wholeness into my projects,” Van Duysen says. “Often, a significant part of the emotion in my work comes from my consideration for the materials within a space. In this instance, my approach to materials was quite different—the stones selected are integral to the story I want to tell. In this collection, the stone is the protagonist.”

The 18-piece Gravitas collection by Vincent Van Duysen for Arca. Photo: Nick Hudson

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“Collaborating with Vincent presented fresh challenges for the Arca design team, pushing our limits toward perfectionism,” says Cortina, whose firm crafted a more sinuous collaboration with Kelly Wearstler entitled Nudo that debuted last December. “Vincent’s distinctive approach required an elevated level of precision, and his unwavering pursuit of excellence urged us to reach new heights in material application. The collaborative outcome is a harmonious union of craftsmanship, functionality, and a profound expertise in utilizing natural stone.”

Cover: Gravitas collection by Vincent Van Duysen for Arca.
Photo: Nick Hudson

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