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Pleurobrachia Pileu
(Grosella de Mar).
Barcelona, 2022.



26 x 16 x 74 cm
Glass, gypsum and LED light.
Price upon request.

The main body of the “Grosella de Mar” has a rounded shape and two large pinnate filaments expand from it, which can be completely retracted and have several small lateral ramifications; they can drag up to 20cm behind the body and the filaments are used to capture their prey. They are covered in cells that produce a sticky substance and helps them to attach themselves to any small object they might bump into.

In its center, the glass piece represents the characteristic rounded shape of Pleurobrachia Pileu, where these two tentacles expand laterally. The ramification that follows in the upper part in a curly way represents the action of these small tentacles when capturing their prey, in this case, trying to capture their own viewer.

플루로브라키아 필루 (그로 셀라 데 마르).

바르셀로나, 2022.

26 x 16 x 74 cm

유리, 석고 및 LED 조명.

요청시 가격.
"그로셀라 데 마르"의 본체는 둥근 모양이며 두 개의 큰 핀 모양의 필라멘트가 확장되어 완전히 접힐 수 있고 여러 개의 작은 측면 파급 효과가 있으며 몸 뒤에서 최대 20cm까지 끌 수 있으며 필라멘트는 먹이를 잡는 데 사용됩니다. 이 촉수는 끈적끈적한 물질을 생성하는 세포로 덮여 있어 부딪힐 수 있는 작은 물체에 쉽게 달라붙을 수 있으며, 중앙의 유리 조각은 두 개의 촉수가 옆으로 확장되는 플레로브라키아 필루의 특징적인 둥근 모양을 나타냅니다. 위쪽에서 꼬불꼬불하게 이어지는 파급 효과는 이 작은 촉수가 먹이를 잡을 때, 이 경우에는 자신의 시청자를 잡으려는 행동을 나타냅니다.


Pleurobrachia Pileu (Grosella de Mar) exhibited at Mas Ca n'Heras for Focus Foundation, Girona, from Plaja Studio Detail from Pleurobrachia Pileu (Grosella de Mar) exhibited at Mas Ca n'Heras for Focus Foundation, Girona, from Plaja Studio

Biography






Josep Plaja (Girona, 1996) is a contemporary designer based between Barcelona and the Costa Brava whose work focuses on the study of glass and light through biomimicry. Inspired by bioluminescent animals from the seabed, Plaja combines an aesthetic centred on shape, the rawness of materials, and the relationships established between them.

Graduated in Audiovisuals and Multimedia at the University of Girona / EU ERAM and later completed a Master’s degree in Exhibition Space Design at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in collaboration with the CCCB.

His work centres on exploring the relationship between light and glass, finding inspiration in bioluminescent creatures and using their natural radiance as a basis for his designs, represented in an abstract and evocative way. Moreover, his creative process emphasises the versatility of materials, allowing each collection and project to adapt to its concept and production environment. This approach not only deepens the connection between the artwork and its place of production, but also encourages new relationships between glass and other refined materials—expanding the possibilities of form, texture, and material interaction while remaining open to both traditional and innovative production methods.

His pieces generate a dialogue between the object and the viewer, attempting to turn the latter into their own prey, much like bioluminescent animals use light to attract and hunt. The attraction generated by light, contrasted with the aggressiveness and fragility of glass, creates a parallel with these creatures that are beautiful yet dangerous at the same time. Through this tension, Plaja reflects on those toxic elements that seduce us purely through their beauty.