Totem is a series of objects shaped by the intimate gestures and rituals that surround coffee across cultures.
At first, they may recall a collection of mugs, yet their essence lies elsewhere:
these pieces invite visitors to assemble, to stack, to compose freely, offering a space for play and contemplation.

Composed of coffee grounds and pine resin, the material itself becomes part of the narrative. Its lack of heat resistance denies functionality in the traditional sense of using a mug, revealing the delicate tension between the useful and the symbolic.
Each form originates from the proportions of the hand, my own hand serving as a “modulor” to trace dimensions born of gesture.

Some pieces are 3D printed, others produced from resin casting with varying densities of coffee grounds, reflecting an ongoing exploration that is continuing to unfold beyond the first exhibition.

The shapes carry with them fragments of memory: the soft volcanic curve evokes the comfort of holding warmth on a grey afternoon; the faceted planes echo the geometry of the moka pot; the small, upright cylinder captures the fleeting intensity of an Italian espresso; the ringed contours recall the habitual grasp of a takeaway cup; while the flat, layered surfaces bear the accidental patterns of resin grounds and foam, reminiscent of Turkish coffee readings and latte art.

The series becomes a playground of forms and textures shaped by gestures, inspired by everyday rituals.