Perspectives on Marble

Why do we initially associate marble with luxury and value, even though its primary use now lies in everyday consumer goods that receive little to no attention or appreciation, despite being made from the same material? The theme of hidden resources forming the beginning of globally interconnected value chains is not new, but the contrast between what we, influenced by art and cultural history, initially associate with marble and where it is actually predominantly found as powder, inspired me to make the film.
While the sound suggests an unsettling vibration in the background, blending into a tapestry of voices and footsteps in city shots, I became an invisible observer, seamlessly blending into the surroundings, shooting with my iPhone without disrupting the authenticity of the scenes. I embarked on a journey to Carrara in Tuscany, one of the world's largest marble quarrying areas, exploring the material from various angles. Starting from its origin in the Apuan Alps, I traced its journey through the mining region, observing its processing stages. The town itself was once economically robust but has struggled with high unemployment since the relocation of marble processing industries, evident in its decaying marble-drenched cityscape. In Florence and Pisa, I explored the cultural and political significance of marble, juxtaposing grand architectural marvels with the harsh realities of its extraction. The journey concludes at a factory where stone remnants are transformed into powder, offering a glimpse into the global impact of marble production hidden within everyday items — once a symbol of opulence, now relegated to the status of an overlooked commodity.