A re-evaluation of our relationship to trees from a design perspective.

Cambio is an impressive exhibition and ongoing project by the designer duo Formafantasma (Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin), commissioned by the Serpentine Galleries, London.

“Cambio, from the medieval Latin cambium, ‘change, exchange’, is an ongoing investigation conducted by Formafantasma into the governance of the timber industry. The evolution of this form of commerce over time, and its tentacular expansion across the globe, has made it difficult to regulate. It grew out of the bioprospecting that took place throughout colonial territories during the nineteenth century, becoming one of the largest industries in the world both in terms of the revenue it generates and the impact it has on the planet’s biosphere” (Studio Formafantasma, 2020).

Formafantasma has not only designed a beautiful and impressive exhibition, they also created a comprehensive website that presents their collected research outcomes and compiles an archive of documents, videos, books and articles on the topic.

www.cambio.website
www.serpentinegalleries.org

I can also highly recommend their Instagram account, where they show their highly inspirational “Antenna Fantasma” conversations around design, ecology and sustainability. Guests included Paola Antonelli (MoMA), Stefano Boeri (Architect), Rebecca Lewin (Serpentine Galleries), Emanuele Coccia (Philosopher) and more.

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References:

Studio Formafantasma. (n.d.). Retrived from http://www.cambio.website.

Serpentine Galleries. (n.d.). Retrived from https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/formafantasma-cambio/

Image Source:

@ 2020 Studio Formafantasma


Ingrid Ruegemer

Fields of Expertise: Art, Craft, Design