February 2025 | VOL 14
Costantino Gucci & Edward Raneri ‘THE REFLECTION FASCINATES US’
words Onur Baştürk
I've always liked to think of mirrors as portals to other dimensions. Because the idea is both mysterious and the feeling of going to other dimensions and coming back is pleasant in every way. Of course, I don't really know if it's possible to come back! CELO1, founded by Costantino Gucci and Edward Raneri, creates products that tap into this sense of wonder and mystery. Working in both Italy and the UK, CELO1 focuses on creating objects and installations that interact with the viewer and the spaces around them. Costantino and Edward work with reflective materials such as glass and mirrors, which alter the viewer's reflected image in unexpected ways to achieve the desired effect. The designer duo painstakingly creates each piece using pigments that react differently when exposed to light, giving the mirror a unique vibrancy. Each reflection captured is an opportunity to explore the complexity of our existence!
You met while studying in London and later founded CELO1. What were your dreams and goals when you started CELO1?
COSTANTINO - When we founded CELO1 after meeting in London during our product design studies, our dreams and goals were deeply influenced by the experiences and insights we gained there. From the beginning, we knew we didn't want to just improve an object or a function; we aspired to create something that was a true extension of ourselves - our feelings and emotions.
Mirror is an impressive material in every way. Why did you choose mirrors? I am very curious about the place of mirrors in your life.
COSTANTINO - Mirrors and reflective materials have always been at the center of our focus because we are fascinated by the reflection. We see it not only as a simple external image but also as a revealer of our thoughts and an inner reflection, bridging the gap between perception and reality.
I understand that you use not only mirrors, but also other reflective surfaces such as mirrors. Could you tell us more about your design process and the materials you use?
COSTANTINO - We use materials such as mirrors, glass, and inks-each of which has a profound effect on the viewer's reflection and spatial perception, often in surprising and unpredictable ways. Glass, in particular, is a key element in our work due to its versatility and the significant impact it has on the visual results. Its reflective properties can vary dramatically depending on several factors, including its shape, thickness, and surface treatment. This variability allows us to manipulate how light interacts with the glass, creating different visual effects and altering the viewer's experience in unique and innovative ways.
What are your first three thoughts when you look in the mirror in the morning?
EDWARD - In a way, when I look at myself in the mirror, it's hard to focus on any one thought or to be fully aware of it. Aside from using the mirror to get ready, observing yourself and your identity is always a unique experience in which multiple thoughts seem to flow simultaneously. However, there are moments when simply looking at your face creates a heightened sense of awareness, allowing you to see yourself from both an external and internal perspective at the same time.
Mirrors and parallel universes. This is another fascinating topic related to mirrors. I also get this sense of parallel universes in some of your products. What do you think, can mirrors be portals to other universes?
EDWARD - Mirrors reflect light, often creating optical illusions, but also revealing areas that wouldn't normally be visible, such as your back or a hidden corner. Similarly, both mirrors and glass can create the illusion of additional space or openings that don't exist. In this way, mirrors simulate what could be interpreted as parallel universes or alternate realities.
As a young design studio, I am also curious about the things that inspire you the most, could you write about that as well?
EDWARD - Inspiration often arises from moments when time seems to stand still. These moments are typically defined by fleeting shapes, rays of light, reflections, and shadows. There's a certain connection between these brief occurrences and much longer-lasting phenomena, such as astronomical events. Thus, inspiration often comes from observing something as simple as a pond, while perceiving much larger, universal forces within it.
