Competition

In ancient Greece, victories were celebrated with an olive branch. Later, during banquets, people would toast with cups passed from hand to hand as a sign of celebration. Starting in the 20th century, cups themselves became the ultimate symbol of trophies, for two main reasons: their container-like shape, symbolizing abundance, and the very act of lifting them to the sky, powerfully expressing the feeling of victory. In recent years, however, trophy design has shifted toward a more sculptural and literal conception, such as miniatures—of people or objects—placed on a pedestal. Our proposal marks a return to the handle as a symbol of energy and functionality. Great importance has been placed on the search for a form that expresses poetic charge, attempting to abstract the archetypal elements of architecture that have always characterized it. After the day of the award ceremony—when the trophy receives great attention—it is usually placed on a shelf at home or in the office, left to "gather dust." The intention behind this proposal is to imagine a trophy that continues to live on, evoking use through its form and poetic presence. This form seeks to abstract an architectural characteristic that transcends eras and cultures: tripartition. Throughout history, buildings have always had to relate to the ground, to humans, and to the sky. The three elements of the trophy are functionally distinct and formally characterized: - a solid base, to rest on a surface; - a swollen stem, to be gripped by the hand; - a rimmed dish, to host something. At the center of the dish, a small plant takes root and draws admiration.