BEST OF MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2015
Words by Costas Voyatzis
Location
A week after the end of MILAN DESIGN WEEK, we’re ready to share a selection of projects, products, artworks and exhibitions that caught Yatzer's eye between the 14 and 19 of April 2015, some of which will be still running during Expo Milano 2015, the International Exhibition which will be hosted in Italy’s design and commerce capital from May 1 to October 31, 2015.
For the second year in a row, the usual design districts (Tortona, Lambrate, Brera and the sprawling RHO Fiera with its endless halls of Salone Internazionale del Mobile) were joined by the new 5VIE district, with paths that incorporated beautiful shops, archaeological finds and courtyards in historical buildings and the ‘Exercises in seating’ exhibition dedicated to the work of the British designer/sculptor Max Lamb organised by Federica Sala.
The ‘ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY’ exhibition/event, organised by INTERNI magazine in the Università degli Studi of Milan and the Brera Orto Botanico, is a must-see if you’re passing through Milan till the end of October; the exhibition includes the amazing installation ‘Punti di Vista’ by Piuarch Studio, which in the studio’s very own words, ''stimulates thinking on the architectural characteristics of the context, starting with vantage points: the classical elements of the architecture of the ca’ Granda, in particular the frieze, the column and the arch, are broken down into pure geometric forms from which to make a new architectural volume organized in three shapes, produced by the extrusion, reflection and overturning of a square, a triangle and a circle.''
Meanwhile, at Hangar Bicocca, located a distance of a few kilometres from the city centre, the exhibition ‘‘Double Bind & Around’’ curated by Vicente Todolí will continue retracing the career of Spanish sculptor Juan Muñoz through fifteen of his most significant installations till the 23d of August 2015. The works on show also include the ‘Double Bind’ structure, originally presented in 2001 at Tate Modern in London; maintaining the elements and proportions of the original project, this is the first time that it has been reconstructed in over 14 years at another location.
Juan Muñoz, Double Bind & Around exhibition at Hangar Bicocca.
Double Bind, 2001. Fiberglass, metal, polyester resin pigmented and wood; variable dimensions. Tate Modern, London, 2001. Photo © Attilio Maranzano
9 April – 23 August 2015 curated by Vicente Todolí.
The Armchair Of Thousand Eyes (more than 100 Fendi bag-bugs) by Campana Brothers for FENDI. Fendi's much-beloved bag bugs have been reinterpreted by Fernando and Humberto Campana.
But the design marathon doesn’t end there! Some more of this year’s highlights include: The Armchair Of Thousand Eyes, where more than 100 Fendi adorable bag-bugs have been reinterpreted by Fernando and Humberto Campana; The MINDCRAFT exhibition curated by GamFratesi at Chiostro Minore di San Simpliciano; MOOOI's new collection which was presented at via Savona 56 against a backdrop of Rahi Rezvani’s artistic photography; The ‘TUNNEL OF LIGHT’ installation by Ferruccio Laviani at Foscarini Spazio Brera; the Body Building project by designer Alberto Biagetti and artist Laura Baldassari (curated by Maria Cristina Didero); The ‘Re-Inventing Shoes’ project by United Nude and 3D systems in which Ben van Berkel (UNStudio), Zaha Hadid, Ross Lovegrove, Fernando Romero and Michael Young explored and challenged 3D printing technology by designing 3D printed women’s high heels; The 8-piece swing-set created from the new 2015 surface designs of Caesarstone, part of an interactive installation by Philippe Malouin at Palazzo Serbelloni called ‘Movements’; THE DEPARTMENT STORE by Lee Broom; Fasted by Studio Dessuant Bone, a family of tableware fasted of their functions, part of the exhibition 'A Stomaco Vuoto' curated by DWA Studio and The visionary installation ''Urban Perspectives'' by Jaime Hayon & MINI (BMW).
So fasten your seat belts and prepare yourselves for an exciting design ride, as we present all the memorable exhibits that we discovered at this year’s Milan Design Week!
The ALPHA chair by Brodie Neill for Made in Ratio.
Mobile Chandelier 9 is one of the 15 new lighting designs that Michael Anastassiades launched in Milan this year, extending the collection of minimal mobile chandeliers and spherical lamps produced by his own brand.
Photographs by Hélène Binet.
Nina Yashar, founder of the Nilufar gallery, opened her new showroom, Nilufar Depot: a building with a surface area of 1,500 square metres over three floors, which houses the large collection of antique and contemporary design pieces that the gallery owner has assembled over the years. For the interior of the showroom, Massimiliano Locatelli of CLS Architetti has created a design inspired by the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Photo © Ruy Teixeira.
Floor lamp by Morten & Jonas which you can turn the shade up side down. To get an up light or a down light.
Material: Steel base and vacuum molded plastic shade. Photo by Nina Ruud, Styling by Per Olav Sølvberg.
COS x Snarkitecture installation, Milan 2015. A film by Andrew Telling.
Juan Muñoz, Double Bind & Around exhibition at Hangar Bicocca.
The Wasteland, 1986. Bronze, linoleum and steel; variable dimensions. Photo © Peter Cox.
9 April – 23 August 2015 curated by Vicente Todolí.
The MINDCRAFT exhibition curated by GamFratesi at Chiostro Minore di San Simpliciano.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
Punti di Vista by PIUARCH produced by MARAZZI.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
Future Flowers by Daniel Libeskind produced by OIKOS.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
Black Hole by Steve Blatz and Antonio Pio Saracino produced by Marzorati Ronchetti, Vetreria Bazzanese, ZORDAN.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
Living Line by SPEECH Tchoban & Kuznetsov with Agniya Sterligova produced by VELKO 2000.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
The exhibition Designing China - Mood-Object curated by Yang Dongjiang and produced by Guangdong Huasong Furniture Group.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
The exhibition Energia Brasileira BRAZIL S/A by curator José Roberto Moreira do Valle.
HIGHLIGHTS:
> The Giaguaro bookcase created by Henrique Steyer based on the distinctive lines of the Panthera Onca, the Brazilian jaguar threatened with extinction.
> Bronze is the material chosen by Ronald Sasson for his Zózimo seat, a tribute to the work of the journalist Zózimo Barrozo do Amaral, who during the course of his career narrated the Rio of the golden years. A seat with a retro look, inspired by the 1950s and 1960s.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
The architectural installation Camera Chiara with two pavilions; Liwan and Camera Obscura, by Annabel Karim Kassar Architects.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
Irori project by Kengo Kuma & Associates produced by TJM DESIGN - KITCHENHOUSE.
CEMENTILES by India Mahdavi for BISAZZA MOSAICO.
Cose da Bocia debut kids furniture collection by Andrea Marcante & Adelaide Testa (Studio UDA).
The Re-Inventing Shoes project by United Nude and 3D systems. Ben van Berkel (UNStudio), Zaha Hadid, Ross Lovegrove, Fernando Romero and Michael Young are exploring and challenging 3D printing technology bydesigning 3D printed ladies high heels.
ENERGY FOR CREATIVITY by INTERNI magazine.
Folklore by Alessandro Michele produced by Richard Ginori.
9 + uno (nine plus one) exhibition at DILMOS Gallery. From top to bottom:
> Magico3 cabinet by Alessandro Mendini, a 3-piece edition // 215x110x57cm // 2010.
> African Farfalla folding table by Francesco Binfare. // width 270cm x length 308cm x height 76.5cm // Materials: Sapele Mahogany wood; hollow-cored panels clad with Feather Mahogany and veneered in Brazilian Rosewood; finished with protective natural oils that accentuate the natural woodgrain. Hinges and closing devices in brass. // 2014.
> Mobile Frontale sculpture-cabinet by Pietro Consagra // painted wood // 200x168x38cm // 1956/ 2015.
PALMADOR2015 collection by Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran (DIMORE STUDIO).
The D.552.2 small table by Gio Ponti, in wood with a glass top, designed for the American company M. Singer&Sons in the ‘50s has been reissued by Molteni&C in partnership with Gio Ponti’s heirs.
The debut collection of furniture and objects edited and produced under the Spazio Pontaccio label in a custom-made setting designed by Federico Pepe and Alberto Pellini.
MySP cabinet with wallpaper on the doors designed by Alberto Pellini and DIVANO sofa designed by Lorenza Bozzoli.
Christmas Cabinets by MAGENTA.
Molteni&C and GAM – Milan’s Galleria di Arte Moderna –present 80!Molteni, an exhibition curated by Jasper Morrison showcasing, for the first time, 80 years’ experience, quality and innovation on the part of Molteni&C, founded in Giussano in 1934.
Louis Vuitton's new pieces for the ''Objets Nomades" collection. Photography: Stéphane Muratet.
The exhibition Exercises in seating a monographic retrospective on the work of the British designer/sculptor Max Lamb organised by Federica Sala at the 5VIE district.
Loopholes by Atelier Belge. Photo by Maarten Stappaerts.
FUHA, a multi-sensory artistic layout with a multitude of creative stories that give shape to air by Fabrica and Daikin at Foro Bonaparte. Photos by Marco Zanin.
StUhl chair by Axelle Vertommen. (De Invasie)
Tabeau by Nicole Brock. (De Invasie)
The 8-piece swing-set created from the new 2015 surface designs of Caesarstone, part of Movements, an interactive installation by Philippe Malouin at Palazzo Serbelloni. Photo by Tom Mannion.
BUTTERED BARBER by Johnny Hermann.
A handmade butter spreader, made in natural wood and DuPont™ Corian®. Photo by Marco Varoli.
spotted on: FUORISALMONE Design Week 2015, Ventura Lambrate.
CENTINA by Alberto Ghirardello for MIOCUGINO.
photo by Thomas Ronchetti.
Centina (which is the italian for “rib”) is a birch wood stool designed to be assembled without the use of external elements such as screws, nails or other small parts: the structure in fact is totally mounted through interlocking elements and is held in place by the tension of a rope which makes it stable and safe to sit on.
The handmade group of planters that documents Philippe Malouin’s process of experimentation with Caesarstone’s surface material and technique. Part of Movements, an interactive installation at Palazzo Serbelloni.
Photo by Tom Mannion.
Crescent and Ring Lights by Lee Broom. Photo by Luke Hayes.
An illuminated sphere sliced in half to reveal a crescent-shaped brushed brass fascia, Crescent Light seamlessly combines the solid and the opaque.
Hanging Hoop Chair by Lee Broom.
Suspended from above, two circular brass-plated hoops join to create the Hanging Hoop Chair, with the seat and backrest upholstered in Kvadrat wool.
Tangled display cabinet by Carolina Wilcke. (Brand New World).
HIPPY by Emilio Nanni for Billiani.
A collection of upholstered chairs, in which the play of stitching, sculpted volumes and fine-tuned attention to thickness generates a strong appearance and character.
SYMPHONY rug by studio Job for Nodus.
Pætchwork tiles collection by Piero Lissoni for COTTO.
Making of Table T by dsignedby. / CNC machine + handwork
made in Serbia by Irena Kilibarda / Filmed and Edited by Mirko Nahmijas.
Hi-Deck cabinet by Carlo Tamborini for Capodopera.
Astolfo floor/table lamp by Amedeo G. Cavalchini for Lumen Center Italia.
SHAPES lamps by Federico Peri.
''LIVING IN A CHAIR'' by Federico Peri.
The New Old Divider by KIMU LAB (Hsiao-chun Ketty Shih, Ting-wei Alex Yeh, Yi-hsien Kelly Lin). Photo by Hey! Cheese.
Heaven's Gate carpet by Marcel Wanders for Moooi.
The collaborative project between Studio Wieki Somers, Kvadrat and Alexander McQueen in McQueen's Milan boutique. Entitled Blossom Rain features three geisha warriors holding a series of lamps, against a blossom haze backdrop.
Ic(r)onic collection of marble objects by Amen Studio for Casone.
Marblelous Lamp by Josep Vila Capdevila for APARENTMENT.
DICIOTTO x 4 Chandelier by Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt for Nilufar gallery.
Industry Garden Collection by Studio Job for Seletti. Photo by Studio Badini.
Paume Couch by David/Nicolas for Nilufar gallery.
Quadra by Luis Arrivillaga. ''Legs'' with an invisible design, universally suitable for supporting any type of table top.
Fasted by Studio Dessuant Bone, a family of tableware fasted of their functions.
(spotted on the exhibition 'A Stomaco Vuoto' curated by DWA Studio).
Reverb table lamp by Alessandro Zambelli for ZAVA.
The Glider sofa by Ron Arad for MOROSO.
The visionary installation ''Urban Perspectives'' by Jaime Hayon & MINI.
The Genius Loci kitchen designed by Gabriele Centazzo for Valcucine. And The Tempting Art exhibition by Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman at the showrrom of Valcucine in Brera, which explored the topic of food and emotions connected to food in object form.
Spheres. Perspectives in Precision & Poetry for BMW designed by Alfredo Häberli.
The Tempting Art exhibition by Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman at the showrrom of Valcucine in Brera, which explored the topic of food and emotions connected to food in object form.
Addiction wallpaper collection by Paola Navone for NLXL.
Water Tiles by Kirsi Enkovaara. Photo by Aava Anttinen (spotted on: FORM & SEEK at Ventura lambrate).
ACT light inspired by kinetic art by Christian Haas.
ACT light inspired by kinetic art by Christian Haas.
Based on "Home in House" by architect Hiroyuki Shinozaki, this installation is the form of a hut built from about 3,000 white ash timbers of 12mm width. The hut is made of overlapping 1/1 to 1/20 scale models of his previously designed houses.
Chiari di Lunae, limited edition of StarNet lighting system by Gianni Veneziano and Luciana Di Virgilio of Veneziano+Team. Handcrafted cylinders in purest crystal of Vistosi, embellished with pearls of Morellato, create a luminous texture, which captures the eye and lights up the ambient through a led source.
Light Fan Screen by Yuan YUAN .Photo by Xin XU.
Wallpapering tiles made from recycled paper by Dear Human.
Loox & Stellar wood floorings with polished stainless steel inserts by Hangar Design Group and Listone Giordano.
HAMPTON cabinet (oak and burnished metal) by Hangar Design Group for Rossato.
Armchair by Jean Angelats and Jonathan Renou / ATELIERS J&J. Photo © Christophe Coelon. (spotted on: Belgium IS DESIGN).
MATE by Bram Boo for Bulo.
Eat me! Drink me! Tell me that you love me! Wallpaper* Handmade 2015. Featured project 'Tuju' chef-Gardner tool kit by Ivan Ralston, Brunno Jahara and Rubens Simöes / Riva. Photo © Wallpaper*.
Marie Henriette mirror which revisits the concept of the hairdresser by Jonathan Honvoh and Rodrigue Strouwen /TWODESIGNERS. (spotted on: Belgium IS DESIGN).
Elkebana flower trophies by Fabio Milito & Paula Studio.
(spotted on: CROWDY HOUSE at Ventura lambrate).
Caruma Vase by Eneida Tavares.
(spotted on: CROWDY HOUSE at Ventura lambrate).
New Cage Table by Form Us With Love for Menu.
The FES Watch is a revolutionary new watch created using electronic paper for the watch face and strap. The wearer can select the display pattern of their choice from 24 different options. The FES Watch is scheduled to officially go on sale in 2015. (spotted on Ventura lambrate).
EYE OF THE LIGHT by Malgorzata Mozolewska. (spotted on: FORM & SEEK at Ventura lambrate).
100% SAND project (60% Concrete & 40% Glass) by Anabella Vivas. (spotted on Ventura lambrate).
Cones by Jule Waibel. (spotted on: FORM & SEEK at Ventura lambrate).
PROJECT EGG by Michiel van der Kley. (spotted on Ventura lambrate).
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MARIA MARIA wood armchair with customizable plastic backrest by Philippe Starck for TOG.
Kneeling solo exhibition of WE MAKE CARPETS celebrating their five year anniversary by MU Eindhoven at Ventura Lambrate. Photo by Boudewijn Bollmann.
Inverted Spaces collaborative project between Calico Wallpaper x BCXSY.