Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay are the Raw-Edges Design Studio. Their TEX Tile ceramic tile collection for Mutina is inspired by the texture of textiles. “Almost every object has its own particular texture, whether it’s a natural or a handmade material”, the duo declare. Their tactile reference library was the springboard for experimenting with plasticine molds on a variety of objects and materials. To their surprise, textiles gave the best results.
TEX Tiles by Raw Edges for Mutina, Italy. Photograph courtesy Mutina.
The tile shape mimics a macro knitted stitch. The rhombus (often found in knitwear) tile pattern is a tessellation of parallelograms (two equilateral triangles), and three rhombi are a hexagon.
TEX Tiles by Raw Edges for Mutina, Italy. Photograph courtesy Mutina.
For the mathematically or games-minded, TEX Tiles are tessellations of hexagons. TEX is available in ten colours (black, blue, brown, cream, grey, olive, white, yellow), each of which has three shades (also inspired by different yarn dye lots). The permutations seem endless. Shades are crucial to the effect, as it is the subtle elements that produce the 3D optical illusion “knit” effect. (More text after the image break.)
TEX Tiles by Raw Edges for Mutina, Italy. Photograph courtesy Mutina.
TEX Tiles by Raw Edges for Mutina, Italy. Photograph courtesy Mutina.
TEX Tiles by Raw Edges for Mutina, Italy. Photograph courtesy Mutina.
TEX Tiles by Raw Edges for Mutina, Italy. Photograph courtesy Mutina.
TEX Tiles by Raw Edges for Mutina, Italy. Photograph courtesy Mutina.
To ensure a bespoke installation for each customer, single colour orders have randomly selected shades in the tile order. Or customers can order predetermined patterns set into a mesh. The natural glaze applied on a white ceramic base creates a slightly irregular effect which adds even more depth and character to each installation. DJ
