DESTIG Interview with our Award Winner, Staj Olson of Igneous Bath.
Read this interview in DESTIG Magazine
Read this interview in DESTIG Magazine
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DESTIG Interview
"Concrete is amazing. It holds onto its true nature and will not allow its character to be erased, only enhanced. Stubbornly I erase every mark or flaw that looks man made to me. This wonderful fight brings out the best qualities of the concrete."
Tell us about yourself and background.
I need something worth doing, because I find not doing things right to be intolerable. So, if my plan is to do it right, it must be worth pouring myself into. It cannot be a mundane reproduction or regurgitation, simple and easy might kill me. Simple and easy would probably be the hardest thing I ever tried to make myself do since it would be so insincere. If other people can do it better, why dedicate my time to it? I applaud them for their gifts, while searching for my own challenges and relevancy.
Tell us about your work.
Once I have a worthy target, design (a sexy word for my concrete engineering) begins. These are the greatest days for me, challenging my own straw men, fleshing away anything that isn’t nailed down or doesn’t fight back. It’s a joy ride to chase the dragon holding onto its tail and not giving up until it is tired. In each functional art piece I create, my private satisfaction is to argue with the concrete about what will remain.
What makes your work and approach unique?
Concrete is amazing. It holds onto its true nature and will not allow its character to be erased, only enhanced. Stubbornly I erase every mark or flaw that looks man made to me. This wonderful fight brings out the best qualities of the concrete. When changes can no longer be made, the concrete and I have come to a happy truce. Everything left is what was always meant to be. A wonderful collaboration between medium and artist, it will become anything I ask of it but concrete will always have terms and conditions, it leads me to the correct conclusions I just have to be willing to finish strong and stick with it to that very last moment. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Why is your work a good investment?
I have invested my life in learning the best industry practices known. I have applied years to R&D in this field to discern the limitations and potential.
I approach every task as a fiduciary for the end user. Finishing strong is an obsession, a key component of who I am. Everything I make is not finished until it is heirloom or legacy quality that can affect the lives of my patrons for generations.
Tell us about some of your achievements.
I have discovered methods and means that allowed me to create “luxury concrete”. Luxury concrete, while living and embracing life is extremely resilient and difficult to damage. It is able to be maintained as is for generations. It can be as thin as 1/8 of an inch and I am pleased to have been able to innovatively incorporate many new advanced technologies. I have been blessed to be supported, welcomed and appreciated by those far above my starting point.
What are your sources of inspiration?
The concrete inspires me, the way Bruce Lee advocates “be water my friend” and lists the qualities of water I bleed grey. No matter how much time I spend with concrete it’s potential still exceeds me, it encourages me to dream more, imagine more and attempt more.
I deeply enjoy manipulating human interaction with light, water and sound.
What you are passionate about?
I am passionate about people, finding places I can make improvements to their lives. I believe we all exist with unique skill sets meant to better the lives around us. I am hurt by the concept of “sheeple” telling everyone to conform and be the same, deny their true gifts. I deeply desire to provide a path for myself and others to be genuine and considerate. I desire to create a corporate culture that encourages those around me to be themselves and provide their unique skills to improving others lives.
Tell us the back-story of some of your projects.
The first free standing shower I created was an act of faith by my patrons over 6 years ago. Their faith in me was transformative. They shared a desire for me to recreate a slot canyon where they had fallen in love when they were children. From the stereo typical napkin sketch to the final unveiling the master piece was exactly what they wanted because they were allowed to walk the course with me for 28 days from tear out to first shower. The result is magnetic, when visitors glimpse this private space from the entryway they cease speaking and just walk towards it and start touching it. To have created something that calls so strongly to people is the highest compliment of my efforts.
Share with us your upcoming projects.
I debuted my newly incorporated Bluetooth sound systems at WestEdge Design Fair in Santa Monica California. My displays allowed visitors to see, feel and hear these innovations personally. Everything about my craft beyond the aesthetics is challenging to convey when not in person. I deeply enjoy introducing everyone to unimagined improvements, and nearly unlimited potential.
Tell us about where you are based.
My private studio is at my home in a high mountain valley near Bozeman Montana . . .it is transcendent. A wooded hillside, babbling stream with multiple waterfalls providing the music of life and an expansive grassy meadow. Day or night just stepping outside is a salve to whatever I am facing. Having the opportunity to be present in my family’s daily life, picnics or hikes at lunch with them is unashamedly the number one “why” for what I do now.
Website: igneousbath.com