L'Officiel Interview: Challenging Balance
During Zona Maco, Joel Escalona presents Balance, a project that is a collection of ten pieces that defy the rules of balance.
Words and interview by Pamela Ocampo for L'OFFICIEL MÉXICO — Transcript from L'OFFICIEL written in 2018
Questioning why something should be a certain way or meet expectations - which have been formed through stereotypes - is always challenging. Observation is fundamental for any designer. Designing an object with a function is also essential. Shouldn't all objects meet an aesthetic purpose and artistic value? This should be a basic principle.
During this week at Zona Maco, Joel Escalona (industrial designer, 31) presents Balance, a project that is a collection of ten pieces made from different materials that challenge the rules of balance. Each composition is a showcase of the artisanal technique from various regions of Mexico, and it clearly displays the skill in experimenting with contemporary industrial technology.
The materials he used for this project were pewter, silver (manufactured in Tane factories), glass (in collaboration with Nouvel Studio), copper from Michoacán, obsidian, volcanic stone, and other materials they worked with in Joel's studio.
We spoke to him about his inspiration, work, and how he finds balance and stability in constant motion.
What inspires you?
The interaction between people and things. It's interesting to see the value that people place on objects and how important they can become in their lives.
What did you study and where?
I studied industrial design at UAM.
What do you appreciate about your work?
The coherence of values of all the people I collaborate with. If we all have clear and aligned objectives, the result should be the best.
How do you describe your creative process?
It is very informed. All the creative decisions I make in my projects are fully justified, and I rarely leave anything to chance.
What is your life philosophy?
Constant evolution.
What was the reason for this Balance project?
Throughout my adult life, I have been searching for balance and failing miserably. Balance between love and apathy, balance between my friends and family, balance between disinterest and obsession, balance between what I want and what I really need. Obsessed with the search for balance in my life, unexpectedly I found it in my passion for designing.
Taking this as a reference, how do you find balance?
Always being in constant motion.
What is your favorite material to work with?
During the process, my pen and paper. In the execution, it's the one dictated by the project.
How do you see yourself in 20 years?
Designing technology or buildings.
What is the most significant challenge facing young people in your field of work in your country?
Uncertainty. Without having successful references, a significant percentage of students and graduates are unclear about the path to follow. However, something I try to do in the universities where I teach is to show all the options that a designer has to act and which is the ideal one based on their skills.
Which designers do you admire?
Philippe Starck.
What is the rule/condition that you always break when working?
The amount of deliverables. I always get passionate and end up giving much more than what we propose.
