• Google Gemini Nano vs Apple Intelligence: Which AI Assistant is Better?
    www.yankodesign.com
    With Googles Pixel event coming to a conclusion, we now have a comprehensive look at what AI upgrades are coming to the Pixel 9 devices, as well as a fair understanding of what Apples plans are for AI (or Apple Intelligence) on their upcoming iPhone 16 series. Although neither of these features has launched yet (both Google and Apple plan on rolling out their multimodal AI assistants later this year), its fair to quickly compare how they stack up against each other, and whether it makes sense to go the Pixel or the iPhone route this smartphone season.On-Device ModelsBoth Google and Apple boast the ability to handle AI queries on the device itself, which means all the AI processing is happening on your phone instead of a server on the cloud. For Pixel phones, this is courtesy Gemini Nano, Googles on-board multimodal AI model, while for Apple, they just call it Apple Intelligence instead of bogging you down with model names and version names. When the phone cant handle a task on-device, it accesses the cloud something common to both Gemini and Apple Intelligence. However, every single thing Gemini does is handled by Googles own AI model, whereas for Apple, some tasks get outsourced to ChatGPT, without logging any private data but more on privacy later. Google benefits from owning the entire stack, whereas Apple benefits from being able to be truly diverse by leaning on ChatGPTs capabilities when it finds itself lacking.MultimodalityThe term multimodality refers to the ability to work across different modes text, video, and audio. Both Gemini and Apple Intelligence are designed to be multimodal. They accept text input, can take voice commands, can analyze audio files, inspect images, and can even search within videos. Its worth noting that while Google and Apple both announced these multimodal capabilities, the final AI assistants are still weeks/months away from launch.Language InputApple Intelligence has only been demonstrated to work in English as of this writing. Googles Gemini, however, holds the edge by accepting 45+ different languages as input.The Gemini Feature QuiltText Generation/RewriteThis might be the simplest yet most effective feature on both platforms, and one youll find yourself using the most. Text generation and rewriting isnt new for Gemini at all, and is available across all of Googles own apps/services regardless of your device. You can prompt Gemini to compose emails, write letters/flyers, and even proofread your documents, either within the Gemini website or across apps like Gmail, Docs, etc. Apple Intelligence offers the same features too (refining, proofreading, rewriting), but these capabilities seem limited only to Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Mac desktops. While Apple Intelligences text-generation features are yet to make their debut on Apple devices, Googles Gemini-powered features are already available across all devices regardless of their make.Image GenerationAside from just analyzing images, Gemini and Apple Intelligence have image generation features too, with their own different abilities. The Pixel Studio text-to-image feature was unveiled today, limited to Pixel 9 models only. Type a prompt out and the app creates an image that you can then view variants of, refine by refining the prompt, or even change the style by choosing from a selection of style templates. At WWDC this year, Apple unveiled their Image Playground which has the exact same capabilities. However, the Image Playground offers fewer styles to choose from, staying consciously away from generating realistic images. Googles Pixel Studio can generate photorealistic images, although the company also unveiled tools to detect AI images earlier, which may play a crucial role in minimizing the spread of deepfakes and misinformation.Additionally, Googles Magic Editor (its upgrade to the Magic Eraser) is set to debut on Pixel phones and also see a broader Android (and even iOS) rollout. The feature lets you correct your photo by adjusting parameters like reframing or expanding the composition, or edit parts of your photo by adding GenAI details to them. Google, however, doesnt get Apples GenMoji, or the ability to generate custom emojis based on prompts and context. These custom emojis can be shared on Apples Messages app, but can also be saved as stickers and used on other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.Live ModeDebuted at Googles Pixel Launch event today, Geminis Live Mode lets you talk to your AI the way you would another person. If you remember ChatGPTs GPT 4o model from not too long ago, thats what the Live Mode lets you do. You can summon the AI and just have a conversation with it, asking it questions, sparring on ideas, or instead collaborating over them. This feature is currently available only in English, and to Gemini Advanced subscribers, which means free users wont be able to tap into the Live Mode feature. Apple Intelligence doesnt have a Live Mode as of now, but you could expect it to drop in the future as soon as the intelligence features actually begin rolling out. Notably, ChatGPT lets you chat with the GPT 4o model for free, but its limited to a few times within a limited time window.Call Record/TranscribeBoth Gemini and Apple Intelligence boast the ability to record and transcribe conversations. Recorded calls get transcribed using on-device AI, and all participants are notified that the call is being recorded. Apple, however, adds transcriptions to the Notes app, while Google lets you view the transcriptions right within the Call Log using a feature called Call Notes.The Apple Intelligence Feature QuiltMemory + ContextWhat good is an AI if it doesnt remember your conversations? Both Gemini and Apple Intelligence allegedly get context very well by understanding what you require, which apps need to be referenced, and also people within your contacts. You can have a steady conversation with both AI models, and theyll remember what youre talking about without constantly needing to be reminded. This is in major contrast to just a few years ago when Voice Assistants only had a limited memory that existed only within that chat command. Now you can reference something from an image taken years ago, or details from an email buried in your inbox, and the AI models will get working without missing a heartbeat. Or at least thats what Apple and Google will have us believe. Were still waiting to see these features roll out on devices, and can only understand their limitations once they do.PrivacyA lot of AI talk is also supplemented by a fair amount of fearmongering. AI replacing humans, AI training itself on your data, and AI going rogue all valid concerns that Google and Apple understand rather well. To that end, a lot of the Pixel 9 Gemini Nano and Apple Intelligences features occur on device, without even connecting to the internet (the Gemini Nano on-device AI is different from the Gemini available on other Android devices). However, when Gemini or Apple Intelligence needs to access an on-cloud version of the AI model, it happens within its own sandbox, without having any data be accessible to any third parties. Notably, Apple also relies on ChatGPT to power some of its AI experiences, although Craig Federighi was quick to mention that ChatGPT doesnt (or cannot) log any data or queries inputted through Apple Intelligence.AvailabilityAs far as availability goes, Googles Gemini Nano model will only be available on Pixel 9 devices, with an official release said to occur weeks from now. While Gemini will be available across all devices, the ability to use Gemini as a personal smartphone assistant is limited only to the latest Pixel 9 range. Apple Intelligence awaits a formal launch too, and will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro series from last year, along with this years iPhone rollout. EU users, unfortunately, will not be able to use Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone following the EUs strict DMA (Digital Markets Act) legislation.Neither Gemini Nano nor Apple Intelligence have an official launch date, but chances are theyll both debut in the weeks/months to come. Apple Intelligence will be free for all users (you can even use the ChatGPT features for free without making an account), and Gemini Nanos core features will be free for Pixel users too. Pixel users also get a 1-year access pass to Gemini Advanced, which can handle more complex tasks, has a larger context window, and allows you to use the Gemini Live Mode.Watch the official videos on Gemini Nano and Apple Intelligence below.The post Google Gemini Nano vs Apple Intelligence: Which AI Assistant is Better? first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • 25 Cozy Mid Century Modern Living Room Ideas
    www.home-designing.com
    Design enthusiasts applaud mid-century modern style but what is it, exactly? Born from a yearning for creativity after World War II, famed designers pushed the limits of engineering to produce iconic furniture and lights. Lets explore these striking retro silhouettes within fresh contemporary settings in this guide on how to create a cozy mid-century modern living room.Cozy Mid Century Modern Living Room Ideas & TipsHow do mid-century modern furniture and retro lighting ideas fit into a cozy living room decor scheme?1. Curved Sofas and Accent ChairsVisualizer: David BasilyThe mid-century modern design aesthetic celebrated organic shapes. Curvaceous sofas and rounded accent chairs conjure that retro, curvy vibe that is also oh-so-chic in todays world of interiors; with curvy silhouettes, your living room will span the best of both worlds. Rounded contours always conjure cozier vibes than harsh linear shapes toothink of soft clouds and sunny hillsides. Match your floor lamp to the rounded shape theme with a mid-century-inspired globe lamp.2. Wood Paneled Feature WallsVisualizer: Nishant KumarWeve seen wood wall paneling make a roaring comeback in recent years but did you know it was revered in mid-century modern homes for its rich natural tone and texture? Wood cladding was used in just about every room of the house but here we see it taking pride of place on a living room TV focal wall. Note how the orange-toned wood stain does not match perfectly with the mid-century modern media cabinet down in front. Dont be afraid to mix wood tones, its all beautiful.3. Mid Century Sputnik Light Fixtures and Sunburst MirrorsVisualizer: Alaa WaliThe Sputnik light was a staple in mid-century modern homes, inspired by the first satellite to orbit Earth in 57. You can celebrate the Atomic Age in many space-age design silhouettes, such as mid-century celebrated sunburst mirror frames and matching wall clocks. In this cozy living room, a contemporary interpretation of a Sputnik chandelier draws focus down upon a simple yet bold mid-century modern coffee table with classic tapered legs.4. Bean bags and Mid Century Modern BookcasesVisualizer: Alaa WaliIs there anything better than sinking down into a soft bean bag with a really great book? Its something weve done since we were kids and its also mid-century modern chic. Designed by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro in 69, these big softies add undeniable, retro, cozy factor to a living space. Throw one or two down next to a wooden mid-century modern-inspired bookcase to create an irresistible reading nook.Advertisement5. Minimalist Mid Century Modern Living RoomsVisualizer: Danial RoslanMinimalist living spaces can be gently infused with a mid-century modern flavor without compromising their clean aesthetic. Choose just one or two key pieces to get your love of all things retro across. In this simplified, cozy living room design, the designer has chosen a sleek, mid-century modern media unit to fetch in the look. Its warm walnut wood tone is echoed in a brown living room area rug, which draws visual warmth across a pale laminate floor.6. Mid Century Modern Paper Pendant LightsVisualizer: Son NguyenPaper globe lantern pendants were seen all over mid-century modern households, they were also one of 2022s biggest lighting trends, and they are still going strong today. This iconic mid-century modern piece casts a warm and comforting glow in a living space and looks elegant when hung in multiples. To make the draw even stronger, you can pick up paper globe lights inexpensively, so theres no reason not to hang them in clusters of two or three.7. Mid Century Modern Furniture With Tapered LegsVisualizer: Interia DesignIts almost subconscious; the second anyone walks into this cozy living room design they know its mid-century-inspired from the smallest detail. Those elegantly tapered furniture legs say it all with such simplicity, dont they? The good news is that you dont have to hunt down vintage furniture pieces to get the look. Modern Scandi furniture pieces often sport this mid-century flourish, so you can find the perfect coffee table or chair to complement your room.8. Colorful Mid Century Modern Art PrintsVisualizer: Anastasiia NovikovaBold geometric shapes and colors give mid-century modern art prints a striking presence in a living room. Warms shades of muted orange, mustard, yellow ochre, brown, burgundy, moss green, and teal are the colors of the era and are regularly found thrown together in one cheerful print. Combine your mid-century modern beauties with colorful contemporary art pieces for a living room that spans the ages.9. Mid Century Modern Boucl ChairsVisualizer: Alibek KilibassovBoucle fabric was covering cozy furniture long before it became chic Chanel suits. Eero Saarinen used the looped fabric to create the iconic Womb chair in 48, known for its organic, enveloping form. Now, we have curvy boucl tub chairs to round out our living room furniture arrangements with that touch of texture and glamorous mid-century charisma.10. Mid Century Modern Stone Feature WallsVisualizer: Mohamed SayedMid-century modern stone feature walls create a harmonious indoor-outdoor blend. Freeform in character, these focal walls instill natural beauty and deep texture into a cozy living room decor scheme. In this modern concept, a contemporary concrete fireplace underlines the rugged feature wall, slicing a cool, crisp juxtaposition. You wouldnt have seen a wall-mounted TV back in the day, but they look right at home upon the stone.11. Mid Century Modern Arched Doorways and Design MotifsVisualizer: Aigerim ZhorabekArched doorways were a hallmark of Mid-Century Modern design. Today, arched doorways and arched motifs add elegance and fluidity to an otherwise boxy contemporary interior. Try incorporating this mid-century modern trend into unexpected vignettes, like this distinctive built-in bookcase with its series of small archways. Each arched nook makes a playful frame for books, decorative vases, knick-knacks, and art prints.12. Jewel Color Mid Century Modern Accent ChairsVisualizer: Iya Turabelidze, Emil Dervish, Katerina BanduraAlong with earthy hues, rich jewel colors led the way in mid-century modern style. Situate eye-catching jewel tone furniture pieces against neutral walls to really give them room for glory. Overall, mid-century modern interiors had an uncluttered feel, as demonstrated by this living room concept, so a punchy accent piece gives the room a burst of interest.13. Mid Century Modern Hourglass Side TablesVisualizer: Hong DngMid-century modern side tables often carried an hourglass shape. This shapely silhouette has gone through many variations, from lightweight twisted rattan to the solid wood sculptural piece you see featured in this high-rise apartment. Note how the warm, natural wood tone of this hourglass side table completes a set of three tonal focal points in the room, teaming with a wood-based glass coffee table and a mid-century modern stylish chair.14. Luxury Mid Century Modern Living RoomVisualizer: Vizline StudioMany eras are at play in this grand, eclectic living space but mid-century modern elements rule. Sofas are raised on slender legs, the modern chandelier has roots in Atomic Age design, and the bar cart is a mid century home staple. Albeit a contemporary interpretation, the swing arm wall lamp has mid-century makings in the reading corner, where it spotlights an MCM chair.15. Mid-Century Modern Coffee TablesVisualizer: Andrej KubakaThe rounded corner, reuleaux triangle coffee table design screams mid-century modern style and space-age themes. The tables streamlined shape is inspired by the aeronautical shapes of a torpedo or airplane, while its striking wooden legs set down natural roots. Team this abstract furniture piece with a wood-framed mid century modern chair for the perfect pairing.16. Mid Century Modern Cane ChairsVisualizer: Hang VuThe iconic and atomic Sunburst tub chair, designed by Janine Abraham & Dirk Jan Rol for Franco Albini, has inspired numerous mid-century-style cane and rattan chair designs. Its rounded, ergonomic structure is the inspiration for modern lounge chairs like this cocoon-like design with additional cushioning for comfort. Balance out a circular accent chair with round biomorphic wall art like this mesmerizing 3D wall sculpture.17. Mid Century Modern Glass Block Feature WallVisualizer: Nataliia RyzhukGlass block feature walls came in during the mid-century modern period but then fell out of favor. Nowadays, theyre making a big comeback in the interior design world, where homes are becoming smaller and homeowners are craving more natural light. The glass block wall allows you to section off a space without sacrificing your light source. A glazed wall also feels far less hemmed in than a solid counterpart, resulting in a small living room that feels bright and airy.18. Graceful Mid Century Modern Living RoomsVisualizer: TRN THY KHUCozy mid century modern living rooms dont have to contain a lot of color or space-age silhouettes. Why not stick to earthy moss green accent pieces, soft beiges, whites, and natural wood tone for a soothing scheme? Choose moss green scatter cushions and complement your scheme with a large houseplant that was popular in the era, such as a thriving Fiddle Leaf Fig, Monstera, or Palm.19. Colorful Mid Century Modern Pendant LightsStudio: Katrin Mood, Designer: Katarina Rulinskaya, Photographer: Marat GutikovWe just love how this mid century modern dining table pendant light adds a pop of refreshing color to a neutral living space. The blue Danish mushroom design perfectly crowns the rounded dining set and complements a racetrack-shaped blue area rug in the lounge area. Pierre Jeannerets Kangaroo Chair, a mid-century modern star, adds a laid-back look to the scheme.20. Reeded Glass Design ElementsVisualizer: Huyn NguynThis dainty oval coffee table communicates a mid-century modern feel with its rounded silhouette, wooden framework, and rattan magazine shelf. The small coffee table also has a reeded glass top, which frequently featured in mid century homes. Its tapered wooden legs are echoed with a modern twist on the sofa, where chunky wooden supports create a dominant design element.21. Mid Century Modern MaterialsPhotographer:Federico CedroneCreate the mid-century look with different materials and textures. To design an eclectic, cozy living room without creating visual overwhelm, partner classic brown leather Barcelona-style chairs with a blue cushioned, wireframe Platner style accent chair. Throw in some cast aluminum tulip-style end tables to grow your mid-century silhouettes, and finish with a chic floor reading lamp. A smooth Serge Mouille-style duckbill lamp would really take your retro space to new heights.22. Mid Century Modern Wooden CeilingsDesigner:Risa BoyerConstruct a mid-century modern wooden ceiling above a fun bold orange feature wall. This gently sloped ceiling seems to echo the curved lines of the iconic Eames lounge chair below, which you can source either as a retro original or a replica. A triangular, glass-topped Noguchi Coffee, designed in 1944, reflects light from expansive windows, which are another glorious defining feature of mid-century homes.23. Mid Century Modern Accents and AccessoriesDesigner:Deering Design StudioGet cozy with mid century modern accents and accessories in cheerful colorways. The mid-century aesthetic allows us to get playful with our choices for brilliantly patterned scatter cushions, so dont hold back. Curate a collection of contrasting fabrics in prints that light you up. When youre done with the cushions, dont forget to splash a little joy through your lighting plan too with colorful lamp bases and eye-catching light shades.24. Muted Mid Century Modern Living RoomVisualizer:Int2 ArchitectureIf all of those bright hues and patterns feel out of character for you, then perhaps youd enjoy the muted side of the mid-century modern decor palette? Instead of orange, mustard, burgundy and teal, color your retro style furniture in teal and taupe, bordered by clean white walls. Complement the organic curves of mid-century modern furniture with an Orient pendant light, created by Jo Hammerborg in 63.25. Mid Century Modern Interior AdaptationsVisualizer:Valkyrie StudioLooking for more modern adaptations of the mid-century modern style? This look is blessed with the mid-century movements high windows and a striking duckbill desk lamp but the wood clad walls take on a smoother contemporary aesthetic. Swap out mid-century floor lamps for perimeter LEDs that will highlight the natural grain in the boundary. Choose tapered furniture legs in contemporary matte black to provide an updated touch.Recommended Reading:58 Mid Century Modern Furniture Selections to Help You Recapture the EraUltimate Guide To Mid Century Modern Chairs36 Stylish Mid Century Modern Coffee Tables51 Mid Century Modern Dining Tables for a Timeless Dining Room RefreshFor more regular updates from Home Designing, join us on Facebook. If you are reading this through e-mail, please consider forwarding this mail to a few of your friends who are into interior design. Come on, you know who they are! Related Posts: Mid-Century Modern Classic Chairs 24 Dreamy Rustic Cottage Living Room Ideas 25 Luxury Bedroom Design Ideas 21 Modern Sage Green Bedroom Ideas With Tips To Help You Design Yours
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  • Josh Sawyer would head up a new Fallout game if Microsoft asked, but he'd have to do it his way: 'Who wants to work on something...
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    Let the man cook.The head developer of Fallout: New Vegas isn't averse to returning to the series, but he has a few conditions.
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  • "Our impact mission is to develop creative economies": Andr Lus on the evolution of Trojan Horse Was A Unicorn
    www.creativebloq.com
    THU's co-founder and creative force talks about the ethos of the digital creative community.
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  • How Fallout's VFX team made The Ghoul look so terrifyingly authentic
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    Behind the scenes of Amazon Prime's hit video game adaptation.
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  • Diablo 4 Update Makes Earning Greater Affix Items Easier Again
    www.gamespot.com
    Diablo 4 Season 5 is in full swing, but one of its best changes, guaranteed ways to earn greater affix items, wasn't working properly--until the game's most recent hotfix, that is.The current season, dubbed Season of the Infernal Hordes, introduced a new endgame activity of the same name that sees players battling against waves of enemies, all the while selecting boons and banes in between waves that modify gameplay. One of the most-lucrative rewards for this activity is the ability to choose a Greater Equipment Chest as a reward: one that houses an item guaranteed to have at least one greater affix.We have released a new hotfix this morning to address runeshards not dropping in NMDs and the Greater Affix items not being guaranteed in Infernal Horde 60 Aether chests. We will more than likely have at least one more hotfix in the coming days.https://t.co/f7xw33x09G Adam Fletcher (@PezRadar) August 13, 2024 Greater affixes were added as part of Diablo 4's Loot Reborn update, and are items with one or more stats that are even higher than normal, making them highly sought after by players looking to optimize their characters to the max. Prior to Season 5, finding these rare items was entirely based on luck, making a guaranteed way to obtain them a godsend for min-maxing players. The only issue is those "guaranteed" sources of the items in Season 5 weren't actually always granting players a greater affix item.Continue Reading at GameSpot
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  • Honkai: Star Rail Reveals Jiaoqiu's Full Character Kit
    gamerant.com
    Honkai: Star Rail has provided details on Jiaoqiu's kit, explaining his role within the team. Honkai: Star Rail will introduce players to Jiaoqiu in the second phase of version 2.4, which will begin on August 21. His limited-time banner will likely conclude on September 9, meaning players will have ample time to use their Star Rail Passes and add him to their respective rosters. Like previous banners, it will promote a lineup of details.
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  • Elite Dangerous added only its second new starship in five years
    www.polygon.com
    Elite Dangerous, the spacefaring game from Frontier Developments, has had quite a few updates this year. The latest adds a new starship called the Lakon Type-8 to the roster, only the second to be added to the game in the last five years. I recently took it for a quick test drive, and I think it could breathe a bit of life back into the venerable title. But the update is not without its controversies.The Lakon Type-8 looks more like a forklift than a spaceship, but those big booms out front serve several interesting purposes. For one, they get the nearly 100-meter-long ships maneuvering thrusters further out from the ships center of gravity. That extra length gives you much more control over the rate of speed while maneuvering, an excellent feature since were talking about a ship thats twice as long as an Asp Explorer.The second big perk of those twin booms is aesthetic. While in flight, they allow you to watch the lights of multiple stars play off your ships hull in real time. Thats not something you can do when youre perched in a cockpit stuck to the nose of the ship, as in an Asp Explorer or a Type-9. Meanwhile, even though those booms block the view a bit, the Type-8s massive domed canopy provides an excellent field of view overall, especially when landing. You can even see your forward landing gear extend and lock into place right from inside the cockpit.Stepping outside the ship using the in-game photo mode, you can also see lots of other animations during take-off, landing, and when maneuvering. Cooling vanes and wings extend and lock into position as you depart, while the ships four massive main engines jut out to lock into place, and even vector slightly when turning. All told, theres quite a few bells and whistles on this ugly beast just the thing for avid in-game videographers keen to record their journeys.The Type-8 is billed as a speedy little hauler. The stock boost is also pretty spicy, netting a significant speed boost compared to the Python. And even all kitted out, its still got more than 100 extra tons of cargo room than a Python. It also sports loads of hardpoints for exotic weapons, but that beefy size makes it a challenging choice for combat.So what about exploration? Ive spent more time in the game searching the stars than doing anything else, and I have yet to give up on my beloved Evelynne Christine, the Asp Explorer that I flew to Beagle Point in 2019. A video by longtime Elite Dangerous YouTuber AlsWulf (embedded above) makes the case that the Type-8 can fill the explorer role as well. His stripped-down version with fully-engineered components and a Guardian FSD booster comes close to 60 light years per jump. While thats not quite as far as my Asp will take me, those are some seriously long legs for a cargo ship.Heres the controversial bit: Currently, the Type-8 is only available as a pre-built ship, meaning that youll have to pay a little over $12 in real-world money to fly it in the game. But we expect that in a few months it will be available for purchase using in-game currency just like its nearest predecessor, the Python MK II, which first became available for purchase in May. In a game that originally began its life a decade ago as a $150 closed beta experience, its a relatively small price to pay the developers who have been at it for well over a decade. You can find the Type-8 in its standard configuration for sale on the Elite Dangerous storefront, where it requires the PC client to play.
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  • A Personal Ceramics Collection From Nicol Morales for Paola Lenti
    design-milk.com
    The new collection from Nicol Morales for Italian brand Paola Lenti starts with the natural resources in the landscape of Caltagirone, Italy, where the master ceramicist lives and works. In ancient times, potters had no means to procure clay on a large scale, and turned to the mountains and rivers that surrounded them. Morales gathers soils and mineral samples from the very same environment, which he then translates into different compositions and textures in clay. Comprising four pieces, the Stelo structure, the Primula table, the Helico table, and the Anemone side table, this collection celebrates the alchemy achieved using expert craftsmanship with found materials.The Stelo, a standing ceramic structure, is made up of independent majolica elements stacked on top of each other to form organic, jaunty columns. These elements are hand painted, and are installed with rubber spacers in between to protect the pieces from damage. This also allows for a smoother fitting process. These elements can be arranged in any manner, up to client preference.The Primula is composed of extruded majolica elements, which create the legs, and a slightly opaque glass top. Reminiscent of limpets and other primeval sea creatures, these components offer different views from the top and the side, adding interest at every angle.Morales is a professional diver, deeply inspired by the aquatic world he is so close with. Much of his work is inspired by the sea or aquatic forms, allowing the artist to play with the intricacies of clay composition and color with each nuanced take. The top of the table is finished with the slightest of opacities and is rounded smooth on all edges, reminding us of sea glass found tumbling naturally onto rocky shores.Helico is our next piece in the collection, the thick glass tabletop hand-finished to create beautiful texture on the underside of the table. This slightly opaque top reveals the forms of the extruded legs, ceramic pieces reminiscent of prehistoric trilobites and shells that dot the ocean floor. The irregularity of the organic shapes within the confines of the clay composition makes for a beautiful originality in the finished pieces. The legs are glued to the top for security, and the feet are capped with rubber to prevent damage.Anemone is a side table like no other, hand sculpted using custom blends of clay from the hillsides of Caltagirone. Layer upon layer of glaze creates ribbons of color running horizontally along organic shapes, filleted softly on the sides. Each color combination is unique, relying on the consistency of the glaze to pull the color organically down the surface of the table.Indeed, all of the glaze combinations are numbered with a color code describing the tone thats inside. Morales is colorblind, working with collaborators to tune the finishes and combinations of clay and chemicals to clients exact specifications. This requires much trial and error, and the artist keeps the experiments in composition to further inform future iterations.To follow Morales work on Instagram, click here. For more from Paola Lenti, click here.
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