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“TO SEE A WORLD IN A GRAIN OF SAND AND A HEAVEN IN A WILD FLOWER HOLD INFINITY IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND AND ETERNITY IN AN HOUR” AUGURIES OF INNOCENCE, WILLIAM BLAKE This oft-quoted quatrain expresses the idea that the beauty, mystery, and totality of the miniature is characteristic of the whole. Laboratory, an installation at Solus Clerkenwell from Holloway Li and Refin, invites us to consider the very small worlds in ordinary materials using special cameras set to high magnifications. To become microcosmonauts and explore wax, metal, and fresco in three bespoke experimental stations. Holloway Li were inspired by Refin’s laboratory, a space in which designers experiment with materials to unlock their hidden creative potential. Laboratory reimagines this space and its spirit of inquiry, and transports it to our Clerkenwell showroom. Alex Holloway, Creative Director of Holloway Li, spoke to us about how Laboratory came to be: “We were invited by Solus to collaborate with Refin on this exciting ‘live’ artwork. Material alchemy is at the core of both Refin’s and Holloway Li’s creative process, taking everyday materials and transmuting them into unexpected states. Working with our collaborator software developer, Will Muir Llia, we designed three live experiments which reveal a wonderous hidden world on the surface of raw materials used by Refin. “In an era saturated with digital post-production, we set ourselves a strict rule to generate these beautiful images purely via analogue methods, appearing at once microscopic and cosmic, encouraging viewers to look deeper into the everyday.” Rino Bedogni, Head of Marketing and Communication at Refin, told us why Laboratory was important to Refin: “Telling the story of our laboratory and how it affects the design of our tiles is challenging, as not everyone can visit our production site and our Tile Designer’s Studio (DTS). After experiencing the reactions of Solus and Holloway Li during a visit to our DTS, we decided to bring this experience to London. Holloway Li have created something not only effective, but also memorable and emotional.” Visit Laboratory at Solus Clerkenwell to explore the process and create your own microcosmic images. Visit solusceramics.com to explore the programme for Clerkenwell Design Week.

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