Sicily

1989 - 09

Turin

2009 - 15

London

2015 -

Through narratives, I propose futures built on synergies, interactions fostered by storytelling, empathy through strong aesthetics.
Born and raised in Sicily, I’ve grown with and being influenced by the intense presence of natural, historical, folkloristic and mystical elements.
A primordial tacit culture, made of symbols, subtexts and unspoken emotions, permeated and shaped my creative sensibility.
With my designs I try to investigate and envision a world built on tangible materiality and delicate symbolic messages.

Despite the tendency of civilization to structure and regulate - instinctual emotions, irrational impulses, entropic attitudes to chaos and wilderness shape the most sincere traits of our world.
As the daughter of a rural culture profoundly connected with the land, I believe human intelligence and sensibility have a crucial role to play in the generation of a superorganic natural world, with fundamental responsibilities to embrace in order to reach the greater ecological and ecosystemic balance.

‘I try to materialise the outcome of my research into something that is not purely functional, that has a hidden, latent purpose with a leverage on instinctive feelings, active at a second intellectual level of the user’s consciousness.
Cultural and contextual awareness is what I try to build before any design exercise.

My approach to design is holistic, and emerges from a background that combines a range of disciplines, from energy engineering to product design. My work and training gravitate towards the necessity to find a compromise and a fluid dialogue between disciplines, human challenges and the environment.’

Artist - designer - inventor, I consider myself a multipotential creative.
My practice combines critical design methods with functionality. Fascinations and magical elements characterize my design language which aims to generate visceral behavioural and ethical reactions.

EXHIBITIONS

• MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2018
(17 - 21 April 2018, Milan)

‘Blend-House’, Floristeri, 4th Floor
Via Giovanni Ventura, 15
20134 Milano MI, Italia

• ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART : ‘The Future is_______’
(25 - 27 May 2018, London)

Design Products Y1 final exhibition
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore, SW7 2EU,
London, UK

• LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 2018
(15 - 23 Sep 2018, London)

- RADO starPRIZE UK 2018 -
Rado Exhibition @ designjunction
The Barge House
Oxo Tower Wharf
Barge House Street
London
SE1 9PH

- ONELESS FELLOWSHIP -
Brompton Design District
1st Floor, 3 Yeoman’s Row, SW3 2AL

• MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2019
(9 - 14 Apr 2019, Milan)

VENTURAFUTURE

BASE Milano (2 entrances)
Via Tortona 54, 20144, Milan, Italy
Via Bergognone 34, 20144, Milan, Italy

• Royal College of Art DEGREE SHOW 2019
(29 Jun – 7 Jul 2019, London)

KENSINGTON CAMPUS
Kensington Gore
South Kensington
London
SW7 2EU

AWARDS

2019 - VIADUCT MATERIAL FUND

2018 - RADO STAR PRIZE UK

2018-19 - BURBERRY DESIGN SCOLARSHIP

2017 - A’ DESIGN AWARD WINNER - SILVER for LA SMILZA

2014 - AURONIA CONTEST, Operae Torino, 1 st place

2012 - ENRICO CIRIO TALENT AWARD #1, 6th place

PUBLICATIONS

DIS-UP!: https://www.disup.com/martina-taranto-relativistic-objects-objetos-relativistas/

STUDENT DESIGN: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0S15CFA7F_/

TASARLAYANLAR: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1Ed13gxCZ/

RADO: https://radostarprize.rado.com/uk/winners-2018

COLLABORATIONS

2019 - Hypersuper + Store Project for Nike

2015 - Fondazione Achille Castiglioni (Graduation Project)

2015 - Redivivus (Graduation Project)

martina.taranto@gmail.com
+44 (0) 7 93 998 3316

DESIGNER + ARTIST + MAKER

DESIGNER + ARTIST + MAKER