Research
PROXIMAL DISTANCE
A relationship between materials, processes and environment
Proximal Distance refers to scenarios that seem remote but are closer than we realize.The catalogue marks the first step of a five-month research project lead in Spain, showcasing contributions from curators, researchers and designers through interviews and Supported by Ministero della Cultura and Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Barcellona in the initiative of Premio Barcelona. The catalogue is an expression of a personal project where research plays a fundamental role. Investigating involves tracing specific processes or aspects, which leads to the development of new and different perspectives compared to the original concepts.
Concept / research
TIPSTUDIO
Catalog design:
TIPSTUDIO
Supported by:
Ministero della Cultura, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Barcellona
Special thanks:
IED Barcelona, Materfad Barcelona
Hydro La Roca
Hydro Feltre
Year:
2024


In our interconnected world, perceived distance can be deceptive, with distant events affecting our lives immediately. This concept encourages reflection on these contradictions and emphasizes the cause-effect relationship in the perception, production, and future of materials. The concept of material is closely tied to human activities. Every revolution, be it cultural or industrial, rooted in the interaction between matter, technique and territory. The objective is not merely to identify which processes are more sustainable or where, nor to compile a report on materials, but to conduct research that illuminates the broader context, revealing often-hidden aspects of materials. This includes technical, productive, social, and cultural dynamics, ultimately reflecting our beliefs.
Proximal Distance seeks to analyze the complex process of managing the social, environmental, and technical dynamics of materials, with a special focus on aluminum’s potential to shape and construct alternative futures.
This effort involved a dialogue with Hydro Extrusion, a leading aluminum production company, and included visits to their plants in Spain and Italy. The research covers topics such as data, processes, production, and the interplay between materials and cultures, complemented by photographs and images. TIPSTUDIO conducted and recorded interviews to foster a dialogue with professionals from various fields, including universities, museums, design studios, and research centers. Among the notable contributors are Uli Marchsteiner, a professor and former President of ADI-FAD, Robert Thompson, Scientific Director of Materfad, along with the Industrial, professor and strategic designer Berta Julià Sala, the para-designer, curator and professor Oscar Guayabero along with many others.



















