Long time Axolotl collaborator and friend, artist Jade Oakley, recently completed this playful site specific installation titled Skipping Stones, in collaboration with Creative Road and Axolotl Art Projects (AAP). Spanning the forecourt of a residential development at Lachlan’s Line in Sydney, the 19 metre long installation consists of 22 hand cast concrete stones scattered around a reflective creek. A custom designed metal element in the centre bridges across the creek, which trickles between 2 bespoke metal grates.
Under Jade’s direction ochre was hand mixed into the cement creating a blending of colour on the surface of the stones. Jade’s hand drawn sketches, depicting native fauna found in nearby Lane Cove National Park, were carved by Axolotl into the surface of each of the cast concrete stones. The oversized pebbles, varying in size from 300mm long to 1500mm long, each sit on a ‘halo’ of Axolotl formed glass precision-cut panels, illuminated by subterranean lighting designed and programmed to glow intermittently in a rhythm inspired by the first large raindrops of a summer storm.
AAP was engaged by Jade Oakley and Creative Road to assist with various aspects of the design and documentation from the overall layout down to the detail of the metal bridge element ensuring compliance with local government regulation. The prototype incorporated and tested the install methodology of all of the elements that make up Skipping Stones, including custom formed glass, a custom carved concrete pebble, LED lighting, extruded framing and Stoneset.
In the artist’s words “There is a strong tactile quality to Skipping Stones. The concrete is lovingly polished, so that it is smooth and delicious to touch, a joy to sit on when warmed by the sun. The arrangement of stones encourages interaction with the public; children use them as stepping stones, jumping from one to the next. People sit on them, and use the sculpture as a gathering place.”
Skipping Stones evokes memories of water, play and interaction. The work encourages interaction especially for children and creates strong ties with the local landscape.
Natus Ex Igne, Latin for born of fire, is the latest collaboration between Axolotl Art Projects and Artist, Jane Cavanough. This striking exterior sculpture sits nestled between the buildings of Arkadia, a recently completed multi-residential development in the Sydney Park precinct. Jane worked closely with the teams at DKO Architecture and Oculus Landscape Architecture, alongside Guppy Associates Art Management, to develop the concept for the site-specific artwork. A grouping of three tapering corten steel cones, the sculpture references the sentinel smokestacks that highlight the skyline from the former Sydney Brickworks, located in neighbouring Sydney Park.
Axolotl Art Projects was engaged to produce three bespoke complex glass shapes adorning the large conical forms. Jane selected Axolotl MIRO low iron acid-etched laminated glass, incorporating a custom print designed in collaboration with local artist, Philippa Playford, onto a clear interlayer. The bold combination of line and colour resembles the glow of fire and rings of smoke. When illuminated at night, the translucency of the glass provides a transmissive barrier allowing the internal lighting to emit a soft glow and provide a further dimension to the sculpture.
Natus Ex Igne’s elegant paired back conical tapering forms have a quiet and powerful clarity that connects both with past local history and present day acknowledging the architectural selection of recycled bricks as the main external material of the surrounding buildings.
Fabricated in three different sizes, the corten steel sculptures animate the space around them for contemplation and interaction. The largest cone, standing three metres, features a hollowed out scalloped core, resembling the shadow of a former chimney. The horizontal cone provides a tension and playfulness when confronted with a large aperture of glass designed to further extend the metaphor of fire.
Axolotl has recently updated our operations in line with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions by the Australian federal and state governments. It is our number one priority to continue to keep our employees, clients, families and communities healthy and safe.
Our showroom is now open by appointment only, please contact us on 02 9666 1207 or at info@axolotl.com.au to arrange a visit.
Please note the following conditions for all visitors to our showroom and factory, these measures have been put in place so we can ensure a safe work environment for all Axolotl employees and we appreciate your cooperation:
- a mask must be worn at all times during your visit, Axolotl can provide masks if required. - all Axolotl employees meeting with visitors will also wear a mask for the duration of the visit to minimise any risk to you - hand sanisiter is to be used on arrival - visits must be kept to a maximum of 15 minutes - social distancing must be observed, please keep at least 1.5m apart - bathroom facilities will not be made available for the use of visitors
For those of you in isolation or who prefer to stay at home, we are happy to assist you over the phone and via email, and have embraced video chat technologies including FaceTime, Skype and Zoom to enable us to "virtually" show you through our showroom and our myriad samples. We know it's important to see and feel our surfaces for yourself and will continue to Express Post samples out daily on request.
Our factory and warehouse operations are continuing as usual, while strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines. Our factory hours of operation for deliveries and collections remain unchanged, Mon - Thurs 7am - 3pm, Fri 7am - 1.45pm.
We have implemented the following hygiene procedures to ensure your safety and ours: - we no longer require a signature for deliveries and collections, just your name and contact number, to minimise the spread through transfer via pens or paper - our EFTPOS machine is wiped clean with disinfecting wipes both before and after your PIN is required. - strict adherence to the 1.5m social distancing guidelines at all times
We respectfully ask that all visitors follow these guidelines when delivering to or collecting items from our factory.
If you would like to arrange an appointment for either a physical or virtual visit or if you have any queries at all please feel free to contact us on 02 9666 1207 or at info@axolotl.com.au
Surface: Bronze Florentine 3D Printed Concentric Design
Doors have long been a hero product of Axolotl, showcasing our creativity and extensive range of surfaces. Now with the ability to 3D print almost any design onto your door, no matter how intricate, practically anything is possible. 3D printing is available for doors and panels in sizes up to 2400 x 1600mm and aligned with the imagination of homeowners and professional designers, it is proving a major disruptor in the design world.
Axolotl makes it simple to achieve a highly personalised, statement entry-piece whether intricate or unadorned, aged or polished, rust or concrete. In fact we are increasingly seeing our doors less as a utilitarian item and more as a point of functional sculpture to add architectural detail, colour, texture – and value - to a home.
Axolotl continues to lead the market in contemporary surfaces and our range of doors exemplify our unique product. All doors we create are custom designed by our in-house team of designers in ongoing consultation with our clients, allowing you complete control and ownership over the process. This inclusive collaboration produces stunning results, such as those shown below.
Surface: Gold Bronze Florentine 3D Printed Splice Design Photo: Nicole England
Surface: Aluminium Antique 3D Printed Custom Aerial Photo Design
Surface: Nickel Florentine 3D Printed Prism Design
Find more door inspiration in our gallery here, and for more information on our treatments and how they can be used on your next project visit our showroom or website, or call the office today on 02 9666 1207.
Working in collaboration with Art Pharmacy, Axolotl recently completed this stunning artwork by artist Chris Yee. Situated in Hay Street in Chinatown, Sydney, the artwork celebrates the Tumbalong site, exploring the rich industrial and cultural heritage of the area. The artwork comprises of eight glass panels printed with the colourful graphic on the internal faces, and Graphite inlay on the front.
Check out the video below of the artist explaining more about the artwork and his process.
Image Jodie Barker
Image Jodie Barker
Complementing this artwork is the nearby Chinatown kiosk by artist Pamela See in collaboration with Frost*. Featuring lantern-like curved glass panels produced by Axolotl in 2010 using similar technology, Axolotl artworks now bookend the Chinatown district.
Head down to Chinatown, Sydney to join in the Lunar New Year festivities from 25th January, and while you’re there be sure to check out these striking installations in person (hot tip: see them after dark).
As the year draws to a close we would like to take the opportunity to thank our clients, staff and friends for your continued support and wish you all the best for the festive season and the New Year!
2019 has been a positive and busy year at Axolotl with the launch of Lustre Spectrum and the completion of a number of exciting projects such as the Easel Project where we got to work with some of Australia’s finest artists and designers.
This year we also celebrated the 20th anniversary of employment for one of our valued team members. Simon joined Axolotl in 1999 through a work placement facilitated by Job Support, Australia’s leading employment service for people with a moderate intellectual disability. Axolotl and Simon both received awards from Job Support in recognition of this milestone.
To top it all off this year Axolotl was also awarded CV Magazines Most Innovative Architecture & Design Solutions Provider and both Lustre Spectrum and Axolotl Terrazzo received a platinum award for design excellence from the ADEX awards.
We are already working on new projects and products that will be debuted in 2020 as we continue our commitment to being ‘The Future of Surface’. Axolotl will be closed for the Christmas break from December 20 - January 6 2020.
This beautiful image was taken by the talented David Marriott of Lucy Barker’s sculpture ‘Eclipse’ which was recently exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2019.
This year we provided material sponsorship and artisan support to a further three artists - Joel Adler, Lucy Barker and Sallie Portnoy. Each selected based on the quality of their concepts and our capabilities to assist with their diverse aesthetics ranging from mirrored glass to marble coated foam. It has been an exciting and challenging process supporting each artist to realise their vision, and reinforces our own commitment and passion to support the arts.
The 23rd annual exhibition can be enjoyed on the stunning coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama from the 24th October through to the 10th November. It is the world's largest free public exhibition and transforms the coast into a 2km long outdoor gallery, featuring over 100 sculptures by Australian and international artists.
Image: Sallie Portnoy, ‘Sea Garden’, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2019. Photo: Clyde Yee
In addition to the works sponsored by Axolotl, we were engaged by another talented exhibiting artist, Giuliana De Felice, to help create her sculpture titled Rock. Paper. Scissors. Manufactured by Axolotl from travertine, solid cypress and Axolotl Brass applied onto galvanised steel, these touchstones celebrate the rhythm between childhood play and memory.
In other exciting news, Axolotl has committed to supporting Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe starting in 2020 through to 2023.
If you are an artist looking for an experienced and passionate partner to facilitate your art projects, Axolotl, through our specialist AAP division can offer a range of services. We have experience designing and fabricating in an extensive range of construction materials as well as offer a range of unique, proprietary surfaces.
The Axolotl team have worked with many talented architects and interior designers over the years creating arguably some of the most original and creative kitchens seen to date. Utilising our wide range of customisable and durable surfaces, which includes semi-precious metals, concrete, and stone, there is no limit to how you can incorporate your desired Axolotl surface into your kitchen.
We have loved seeing kitchen designs become bolder and designers unafraid to incorporate strong metallics, patterns and stone in unconventional ways, through joinery, splash-backs and even appliances. Here we showcase how some of Australia’s most talented have embraced Axolotl surfaces in kitchen design.
Industrial designer Adam Cornish and graphic designer Marcus Piper have come together to create the Easel Project. Eight leading creatives were invited to create an original work of art, to push outside of their comfort zone and challenge the typical palette of materials utilised within their practice.
The list of internationally acclaimed artists draws from a diverse range of creative disciplines including painters, industrial designers, collage artists and graphic designers. The line up for the Easel Project Collection One includes Jaime Hayon, Adam Cornish, Adam Goodrum, Belynda Henry, Ham Darroch, Louise Olsen, Marcus Piper and Rachel Derum.
Each creative worked with surface specialists Axolotl to develop their concept. The range of materials and processes experimented with was extremely diverse – from fused plate glass, marble with brass inlay, etching, 3D printing, printed marble to heat tempered stainless steel.
“As an Industrial designer we are often asked to create using industrial processes and materials, this restriction often makes for the most surprising results. Each artist or designer has chosen a material / process aiming to discombobulate their normal process and encourage experimentation.” says co-founder, Adam Cornish.
The finished artworks, available in a limited edition of eight, rest on a timber easel which displays the work and can be rotated creating a functional coffee table surface. The Easel table design is intended to celebrate the diversity of the practitioners with the traditional Easel representing artists throughout history, and the transformation into a table representing the functional aspect of the design discipline. The Easel base, designed by Adam Cornish, was proudly manufactured by Forest Furniture and the tops were manufactured by Axolotl with a percentage of each sale going to the Authentic Design Alliance.
Easel Collection One will be shown for the first time in the central walkway of DENFAIR, Melbourne, 20-23 June – highlighting the events commitment to independent, Australian design at an international level.
The Easel Project is an independent project championing authentic design that has been initiated by Adam Cornish and Marcus Piper. Adam is well known as a multidisciplinary designer designing for the likes of Alessi and Marcus as a self proclaimed digital craftsperson working across varied creative disciplines.
The pair have curated works by eight internationally recognised creatives who were briefed to push the boundaries of their craft. Each concept was then translated into a physical object in collaboration with Axolotl, who offered up their extensive palette of processes and materials, as well as their expertise in art creation. As part of the process – Axolotl tested its own boundaries, working with the artists to test processes and produce samples prior to production – these samples can be seen below.
Each Easel will be available in a limited edition of eight and come signed by the artist with a certificate of authenticity. A percentage of sales will be donated to the Authentic Design Alliance to foster the ongoing development of innovation and leadership within the Australian design community.
The Easel Project will launch its first functional artwork collection in Melbourne at DENFAIR, 20-22 June 2019, and include a speaker series with the artists and Axolotl’s very own Design Director, Emmaline Cox – moderated by Marcus Piper.
To see the complete set of artworks and to discuss the methods behind the process we’d be delighted to show you personally at Denfair in late June.
For updates and more information on the Easel project click here.
