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An extension of our first lighting collection, ORA is an elongated, soft light - anchored by a sculptural bust. Inspired by moments in film and fashion, this quiet fixture embraces the mystery and theatricality of draped fabric. ​ ORA V White gypsum cement, canvas, cotton rope, and brass brooch and hardware dimensions 78h x 18⌀ inches Handmade in San Francisco ​ ​ ​ ​ See ORA V and more of our bespoke objects this month at the 2024 SF Decorator Showcase in the Fortuna Lounge by Chroma . ​ Open through May 27, 2024. Tickets available here . ​ ​

Drafts in WHITE Inner Space Revisited Issue 5 February 2024 ​ My process of mold-making often reminds me of the Pantheon with its prominent oculus opening at the center of its high ceiling. Whenever I visit Rome, I return multiple times a day to experience the space. With each visit, the atmosphere shifts, but the building – a centuries-old place of worship – still holds my attention. Pilgrims pray, tourists shuffle about, and even the natural elements, like rain, are free to fall from above. Meditating on the visual similarities between this grand interior and the molds in our studio, I am once again reminded of my roots in architecture. However, while buildings are planned with rigorous care, my initial process of mold-making is spontaneous and haphazard in nature. And although my process is inherently unsystematic and careless during formation, the outcomes require an almost ceremonial excavation to carefully reveal the resultant inner forms. Originally, my sculptures were meant to be experienced visually. Once hollowed out, they became pitchers and vases and were repurposed to be used in everyday rituals around the table, offering moments for intimate human connection. When pulled apart, our molds’ interiors reveal fossilized expressions that range from architectural geometry to organic remnants of the human form. This sequence continues to fascinate me. Each time we tie a mold together and subsequently peel it apart, we play peek-a-boo with the seen and unseen — a moment I eagerly revisit again and again. Drafts in WHITE are bimonthly notes from our studio – inspirations, illuminations, and cultural explorations. ​ Images: Sectional of Pantheon via Smarthistory; White Dirt photography by Jessica Eve Rattner; sketches by Dana Harel.

Drafts in WHITE On WHITE DIRT Issue 1 February 2023 By Dana Harel Six years ago, while traveling through the Carolinas, I came across kaolin clay, colloquially known as “white dirt.” I became fascinated with its diverse uses. Believed to provide essential minerals, it is consumed by pregnant women in the south - while around the world, it serves as a core ingredient for porcelain, a highly desired type of pottery. This juxtaposition did not leave my mind - a dirt that is both consumed and simultaneously used to make the plates we eat off of. A substance which was sought after by royalty while casually available to the masses. When I returned home to San Francisco, the more I played with this clay in my studio, the more I became enraptured with the possibilities of the medium. These beginnings also paralleled my search for a studio name. Winter is a season of hibernation, an opening for deep reflections. This winter, I found myself contemplating the journey of White Dirt and the origin of our name. I am neither a trained ceramicist nor sculptor - I am a trained architect. My work has always involved translating my ideas from 2D to 3D. Kaolin clay is more than just the medium. It has many different sub-stories. At White Dirt we appreciate story-telling as part of our process. Breaking open molds, sketching new ideas, chiseling, building anew, taking our time to form and craft each of our pieces. Join us on Instagram to continue the story. Images: Rodin, Pantheon, WHITE DIRT Free Dirt Photo by David Henry (Alabama) Drafts in White are bimonthly notes from our studio – inspirations, illuminations, and cultural explorations.

“Ortolan. It is a deep fried songbird. You eat it whole. This is like a rare privilege. And it’s also kind of illegal. [The napkin] is for the head. The exact purpose is debated. Some say it is to mask the shame. Others to heighten the pleasure.” -HBO’s Succession ORA I SCULPTURAL TABLE LIGHT Our first foray into lighting. Each hand-carved light in this collection is a nod to cultivating quiet moments of reflection. ​ Natural elements are melded together to create a sculptural piece that is both an artifact and an everyday fixture. ​ The ORA collection consists of four different sculptural lights. They are created in small batches from white gypsum cement, muslin, and brass. ​ Handmade in San Francisco ​ Tear Sheet ​ Inquire ORA II SCULPTURAL TABLE LIGHT ORA SCULPTURAL LIGHTS ORA III SCULPTURAL TABLE LIGHT ORA IV SCULPTURAL LIGHT INSTALLATION

COLLECTABLE SCULPTURAL PIECES MADE FOR EVERYDAY RITUALS

GALA is our latest family of lighting. ​ Developed in collaboration with Chroma - we were inspired by the fluid forms and dream-like juxtapositions of the surrealists. We put hands to paper to create a dining room chandelier. One-of-a-kind cast brass connections, fabricated by a lost wax technique, gently suspend the glowing paper shells in mid-air. ​ GALA Chandelier Specialty paper and brass L 48 in x W 32 in x H 50 in (height variable) Handmade in San Francisco ​ Special thanks to Dogfork Lamp Arts, JR Casting, and Tucci Lighting. ​ ​

Drafts in WHITE Luminous Dreams Issue 2 May 2023 By Dana Harel This year, White Dirt was invited to join Chroma to collaborate on a lighting element for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. We are honored by the invitation and excited to create a light based on their theme: Surrealism. “Lifting the skin of the ocean…” a painting by Salvador Dalí, inspired us to construct an imaginative chandelier, a centerpiece for Chroma’s Apollonia Dining Room. The surrealists, with their fluid forms and dream-like juxtapositions, moved us to create glowing paper shells suspended in mid-air by jewel-like cast brass knots. Collaboration seems to be the direction of the studio this season. We are thrilled to have Frank Merritt, a longtime friend and accomplished architect, design this project with White Dirt. GALA is a true collaboration from concept to production. GALA debuted in Chroma's Apollonia Dining Room at the 44th San Francisco Decorator Showcase. Join us on Instagram to continue the story. Photography by Nikki Gerdes . Image of Dalí Illustrated Book (Abrams 1968) from Dana’s personal library.

SUITES is the first White Dirt collection, consisting of six different porcelain vessels. Surface details on each vessel suggest a compressed, geological layering of anthropomorphic forms and architectural ruins . Each piece is timeless in its design for everyday tabletop use as a pitcher or vase. ​ TEAR SHEET SLIP-CAST PORCELAIN MATTE EXTERIOR GLAZED INTERIOR FOOD SAFE LIMITED EDITION OF 20 MADE IN SAN FRANCISCO ​ INQUIRE SUITE I SUITE II SUITE III SUITE IV SUITE V SUITE VI

Click on an image to read the entire post. On White Dirt Issue 1 February 2023 By Dana Harel Six years ago, while traveling through the Carolinas, I came across kaolin clay, colloquially known as “white dirt.” I became fascinated with its diverse uses. Believed to provide essential minerals...

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SUITES is the first WHITE DIRT collection, consisting of six different porcelain vessels. Surface details on each vessel suggest a compressed, geological layering of anthropomorphi c and architectural forms . Each piece is timeless in its design for everyday tabletop use as a pitcher or vase. Printable PDF . SLIP CAST PORCELAIN MATTE EXTERIOR GLAZED INTERIOR FOOD SAFE LIMITED EDITION OF 20 MADE IN SAN FRANCISCO SUITE I SUITE II SUITE III SUITE IV SUITE V SUITE VI

BENE, our collection of stoneware bowls, is inspired by natural pools and water wells. Hand-carved exteriors complement smooth interior surfaces glazed with deep green hues, reminiscent of geological formations. ​ Available in two sizes and colors, clear and forest green. ​ BENE is handcrafted to elevate everyday rituals. ​ TEAR SHEET SLIP-CAST STONEWARE MATTE EXTERIOR GLAZED INTERIOR FOOD SAFE UNLIMITED EDITION MADE IN SAN FRANCISCO INQUIRE BENE I BENE II