The assignment was to create a unique object for the “Harbourfront Centre 2001 World Leaders Prize” that would be presented to 14 of the world’s creative visionaries—including Issey Miyake, Pina Bausch and Frank Gehry. We used a metal etching process to create a paper-thin lace work of the recipients’ names joined by a web of tiny lines. The award was sewn with red thread to a clear acrylic sheet for the presentation and packaged in a custom-made cardboard case for travel.

“It’s turning type into something material, and taking textured, hand-rendered letterforms and making them machine-like. It’s counter to a traditional engraving.”

“It’s not over designed or tricky. It has a purity and delicacy to it.”

“It’s a really intricate piece of totally relaxed-looking calligraphy. It’s spontaneous. It’s incredible art. Crude handwriting meets high-tech, and it’s still modest.”