In all cultures, popular craftsmanship has produced everyday objects whose simple, delicate workmanship gives off a beauty that is easy to appreciate without the need for intellectual reflection. This is something that Soetsu Yanagi rightly and precisely unpacks in The Beauty of Everyday Objects (Yanagi 2021). He stresses the positive qualities of such practical objects, which are beautiful almost unintentionally, unlike the more aristocratic products of the fine arts. They are objects executed in a direct, simple, hard-wearing and honest manner. Their beauty can therefore be described as whole, natural, unforced, as if it were the result of a kind of unconscious grace. They are works made with a free attitude, which does not seek to justify itself, as simply and joyfully as walking. “Among the great works of the past, it is clear that the most splendid of all are those produced by popular crafts”.

The construction of such objects pays particular attention to the material used; “it could be said, in fact, that it is not that the craft object finds the most suitable material, but that it is the material that finds the suitable object”. The material extends its influence to the form and patterns of the objects between which an inextricable link is established. The Raw materials are not to be conceived as mere physical matter, for they contain within them the will of nature. will of nature. And it is nature that dictates the form and pattern that a material must assume. Nothing good can be achieved by ignoring its dictates.

The proposal for this pavilion is inspired by basketry, one of the most ancient craft techniques, widespread in all cultures. ancient craft techniques, widespread in all cultures, which is particularly deeply rooted in La Rioja. It aims to to acquire the positive qualities described above. It is built exclusively with the boards offered by the sponsor, cutting and assembling them without the need for other elements. elements. Each 250x120cm board is cut on its short side into two pieces, one 160cm long and the other 90cm long. length and the other 90cm long. Each of the large pieces allows for the production of 8 slats of 15x160cm. With this single piece of constant length, a “basket” is constructed by direct assembly from the direct assembly from a single type of joint. The remaining 90x120cm pieces of each board are used for the construction of the base. The remaining 90x120cm pieces of each board are used for the construction of the base and accesses. The intended material is used without using it up completely. The result is a simple but vibrant object that constantly changes with the light. light. It will be a versatile space in which to display information, serve visitors or organise small meetings with ease.