In 2023, Jules Péan launched his material research project New Rocks: new stones made from industrial waste such as construction residues, but also sediments from inactive mines and quarries in Luxembourg, including sandstone, dolomite, limestone, and iron ore. Combined with natural binders such as mycelium, starch, and salt, he creates biodegradable objects that that can be stacked in different heights and configurations. The newly formed stones will eventually erode back into sediment – an endless cycle of old and new rock.
From dust to stone, from waste material to collectible art
New Rocks are formed from sediments from inactive mines and quarries. Designer Jules Péan draws from craft to mimic geological processes such as crystallization, volcanic rock formation and erosion. The collection of rocks is made from industrial waste, such as leftover material from construction, natural binders such as mycelium, starch, and salt, and sediments from Luxembourg, including sandstone, dolomite, limestone and iron ore. The newly formed stones will eventually decompose back into sediment – as new rocks from old rocks.
From dust to stone
The Potatoes Chandelier elevates the everyday potato including its roots and origin into a sculptural landscape. Potato starch cooked and inflated like pommes soufflées, floats on recycled copper tubes. The installation plays with materials, transparency, texture and perception, evoking images of potato fields or undulating crops. Potatoes celebrates the simplicity, abundance and presence of potatoes as a natural nutrient.