The Start Of Something Slow
With its slow, deliberate movement, the snail has become a powerful metaphor for time and slowness. Its unhurried pace invites reflection on patience and the value of slowing down, offering a counterpoint to the rapid pace of modern life. Through the snail, we are reminded of the beauty and insight found in life's slower rhythms.
Examining the symbolism of the snail through material practice reveals deeper insights into how slowness can uncover hidden beauty and wisdom often overlooked in our fast-paced world.
‘The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn, and the growth of a thousand worlds is in one snail.’
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
THE SNAIL. WINDOW INSTALLATION FOR RODIC DAVIDSON ARCHITECTS 2024. PHOTO CREDIT, ANNABEL HARRIS.
The Process
The Snail embraces the notion that the act of creation is an inherently generative process, one that flourishes through patience rather than haste. Recognising time as an essential asset, it values contemporary approaches to ‘slow making’ that prioritise careful craftsmanship over the rapid efficiency of industrial production
By integrating both new materialism and traditional techniques, the project provides a unique perspective on the dedication and energy required to create meaningful objects and designs.
The first collection, created in partnership with DOBA Design — a pioneering plastics recycling studio in Edinburgh — emerged after 14 months of rigorous experimentation. Processes of melting, pouring , heating and compression were meticulously refined to achieve a balanced and sustainable production method.
THE SNAIL SHELL; A THOUSAND WORLDS.
MIXED PARTICLES OF SHREDDED PLASTIC.
INITIAL SKETCH PROPOSITION INDICATING SHELL AND SNAIL BODY.
THE EXPLODED REMNANTS OF A SHELL UNDER COMPRESSION.
EARLY SHELL TEST TRIAL.
The final Snail Shells are meticulously crafted from a blend of recycled plastics, precisely varied in quantity, particle size, and colour.
Over a 48-hour period, this mixture is melted and skillfully moulded into form. The resulting surfaces evoke the rich textures of natural stone finishes, capturing the lustrous essence of real snail shells with their inherent depth and vibrancy.
Each shell is different, uniquely defined by the proportion and types of materials used in its formation.
SHREDDED PLASTIC IS PRECISELY WEIGHED AND MIXED.
STAINLESS STEEL MOULD IS HEATED IN OVEN.
MOULD TEMPERATURE REGULATED AND MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT PROCESS.
PLASTIC CHIPS ARE LOADED INTO THE HOPPER.
ONCE THE HOPPER REACHES THE OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE, THE MOLTEN PLASTIC IS FED INTO THE PRE HEATED MOULD.
ONCE THE MOULD IS FILLED TO THE SPECIFIED WEIGHT, THE LID IS SECURED.
AFTER 24HRS COOLING THE LID CAN BE REMOVED.
THE FORMED PLASTIC SHELL IS GENTLY RELEASED FROM THE MOULD USING A PRESSURE MECHANISM.
FINAL SHELLS.
Bringing the final Snails to life requires further collaboration with skilled artisans and makers, each contributing their unique expertise to shape these distinctive forms.
Each collection will be available for purchase in limited quantities. By acquiring a piece, you support the diverse creative networks involved in every stage of its production.