Living
Nanimarquina: hand-crafted rugs that state intentions
Living 08/04/2010
What does nanimarquina do?
Nanimarquina's lifetime can be summed up in one concise idea: a desire to design rugs. A simple statement, a transparent declaration of intentions realised by combining values like observation, innovative effort, excitement and knowledge on how to bring craftwork tradition into contemporary times.
What inspired you to design rugs?
Everything began with my initial employment. When I finished my degree in design from the Escuela Masana in Barcelona, I started a job printing textiles. Based on the prints' success, I launched myself, almost by happenstance, into the world of rugs. At that time, in 1980s Spain, no one was using contemporary design to design rugs, thus I saw a good business opportunity to do something I enjoyed.
When did the project emerge?
It began in 1987, and I have to say that at the start it was quite rough. No one knew about design. As a profession, it was too new. To move forward with my designs, I was forced to set up my own company, given that at that time no one thought my work had a chance. I had to balance both the business and design aspects, which was initially quite a challenge.
My father, Rafael Marquina, was my mentor. I always wanted to study design, because it's what had surrounded me since my infancy. My father was one of the pioneers in Spanish design, and as a little girl, I was in awe of the prototypes he showed us when he came home. But knowing how rough this world could be, he recommended I make a living elsewhere...
When did the Barcelona location open, and why did you pick this city?
It was inaugurated on December 11, 2009 in Barcelona, the city that houses the nanimarquina brand name. For the time being, it's the only nanimarquina shop in the world. Barcelona is where I was born. I'm a staunch Barcelonan! This kind of quality of life cannot be found elsewhere. Plus, Barcelona breathes design!
Describe your philosophy and what inspires you?
The inspiration behind new collections comes from the background of ideas and experiences that we accumulate over the course of our lives. At times, memories or experiences that pop into your head may form the basis of a new design, which takes form little by little. It's important, in this regard, to travel a lot, feed on new experiences and immerse yourself in cultural diversity. On other occasions, when I travel to India, I discover new manufacturing techniques, and taking this new knowledge as a base, we develop a new collection. I'm a firm believer in teamwork.
What kind of materials do you use?
The material that best defines me is, obviously, wool. I also like natural fibres such as jute, which reminds me of trees and of nature. In today's day and age it's important to bear in mind recycled, ecological and sustainable materials.
The value that craftwork tradition has in my work is primordial. Without craftwork systems, our collections wouldn't exist. Craftsmanship allows us to experiment and innovate in the realm of creation. Craftsmanship offers us the greatest possibilities to research the design and transformation process. Yet it also connects us with rug culture and symbolism. In fact, while it may seem contradictory, we start off with a very traditional piece and make it contemporary.
It's a way of bringing ancestral elements into the present, without losing sight of the roots. There's a connection between the past and present, between tradition and modernity. And we produce avant-garde products thanks to this tradition.
What are the April additions?
We'll present our latest collections at the Milan fair.
Additional information:
nanimarquina
www.nanimarquina.com
Roselló, 256/ Av. Diagonal
08037 Barcelona
Tel. 934 871 606
Fax. 934 871 574
bcnshop@nanimarquina.com
Written by JAZMÍN CASTRESANA
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