Carpenters Workshop Gallery in London is currently hosting an exhibition with a large body of sculptural works that blur the fluid boundaries between art, architecture, and design. Titled Archaeology of Consciousness, the exhibition, by Milan-based designer and architect Vincenzo De Cotiis delves into his fascination with reimagining archways, symbolising a profound journey through time and consciousness.

De Cotiis's creative process is akin to the natural process of metamorphic rock formation—a meticulous yet organic approach that results in sculptures that embody both natural wear and human-made interventions. The synthesis of materials, including rare stones, reclaimed fibreglass, and Cast Murano glass, presents a captivating interplay between the forces of nature and artistic intervention, highlighting the passage of time and the enduring beauty found in age and decay.

One of the exhibition's standout features is the freestanding archway, not merely a spatial threshold but a temporal one. De Cotiis challenges the arch's ancient connotations, deliberately distorting its form to prompt contemplation on time and its effects.

"By focusing on arches, a clear symbol of strength and protection, I wanted to show that even the most solid of structures change with time. I seek to prompt contemplation of time's effects on objects and encourage viewers to see the beauty in age and decay. The sculptures, made from materials such as rare, ancient stone, reclaimed fibreglass, and Cast Murano glass, symbolise a vision of future archaeology, where the marks of nature and human-made interventions intertwine," says De Cotiis.

The title, Archaeology of Consciousness, alludes to the heightened awareness and interpretation of tangible and intangible environments within the displays. The exhibition is deliberately designed to engage viewers beyond the visual plane on a sensory and intellectual level, exploring layered meanings and experiences that explore realms beyond the physicality of the objects. The consciousness referred to in the title also reflects De Cotiis' journey of excavating forms and structures from the sediment of history, projecting classical elements into contemporary concepts.

Speaking about the title of the exhibition, De Cotiis says, “It is a nod to the heightened awareness and interpretation of both the tangible and intangible environments. The displays are crafted to stimulate a profound connection and understanding that goes beyond the mere physicality of the objects. By instilling each piece with layered meanings and experiences, I invite the audience to engage on a sensory and intellectual level, to ponder the very nature of perception and existence.”

The exhibition features De Cotiis's cross-disciplinary approach very evidently, where architectural forms are reinterpreted through sculpting, blurring the lines between functional art and sculpture. This fluid interplay extends beyond the gallery space as De Cotiis, also a renowned architect, reverses the creative process when designing actual buildings. His architectural spaces become experiential habitats, sculpted with artistic precision to reflect the emotional and physical interaction of inhabitants with their surroundings.

De Cotiis, describing his creative process as a cross-disciplinary artist, says, "In my cross-disciplinary approach, there is a fluid interplay between architecture, sculpture, and functional art. When it comes to designing spaces, I indeed reverse the creative process. The architectural forms are imbued with the nuances of sculpture and art, creating spaces that are not merely functional but are experiential habitats. This involves contemplating the emotional and physical interaction of the inhabitants with their space, effectively turning each space into a living sculpture. Every aspect, from the choice of materials to the modulation of light and shadow, is sculpted with artistic precision, ensuring that the resulting structure is a lived expression of artistic vision and human experience.”

Hinting at the future potential of the archway as a symbol of strength and protection, the exhibition challenges traditional meanings and distorts familiar forms. De Cotiis’s work prompts viewers to reconsider the resilience of even the most solid structures in the face of time.

Throughout Archaeology of Consciousness, the sculptures act as metaphysical portals, connecting past and future. De Cotiis's deliberate marks on the surfaces of materials such as stone, marble, glass, and fibreglass add an artificial weathering, leaving distinct traces for future generations to interpret. This intentional scarification is a distinct and creative form of storytelling, contributing to the overarching narrative of time, decay, and transformation.

Vincenzo De Cotiis's Archaeology of Consciousness is a captivating exploration of the intersection between the ancient and the contemporary. Through meticulous craftsmanship and deliberate distortions, De Cotiis challenges traditional meanings, prompting viewers to contemplate the enduring beauty found over time. The exhibition not only showcases the artist's mastery but also invites the audience on a transformative journey through the archaeology of consciousness.

Vincenzo De Cotiis's Archaeology of Consciousness is on display until January 28, 2024, at the Carpenters Workshop Gallery in London.