Salone del Mobile: The best of Milan's annual furniture fair
Spread over 3.7 million square feet of display space, the Salone del Mobile show is the single largest reference point for design aficionados around the world
Image by : Dimore Studio
1/11
The Milanese duo remained a crowd puller this year too at their gallery in Via Solferino. Inspired by historic references of Gianni Piacentino, Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci with styles from 1930’s, 50’s as well as the Art Deco movements, all mish meshing into an eclectic ensemble challenging the boundaries of a conventional interior space. Cabinets printed with gloss laminates, and embellished with brass and acrylic resins, sit cosily on patterned linoleum floors, to create an imaginary landscape almost a surreal experience for the visitor.
Image by : CQS Ciarmoli Queda
2/11
A melange of brands come together to create a visual and sensory experience transversing a series of interconnected spaces / rooms. Each space with its impactful character showcases Design, Light, Future, Living (De-Light-Fu-L)- the four concepts around which the narrative of the show revolves. Curated by Ciarmoli Queda Studio, the compelling displays end with a beautifully curated short film by Matteo Garrone which displays the four concept ideology as an audio visual treat.
Image by : Nilufar Gallery / Martina Gamboni
3/11
The celebrated Nilufar Gallery at Via Spiga gets a gorgeous collection by none other than Joaquim Tenreiro - considered the father of Brazilian design. Fabricated in Brazilian wood and wicker, these numbered pieces are reminiscent of the modernist era commissioned between 1940-1970. The choice of material and its application came in as the designer’s response to the countries hot climate. The gallery gets its own range of rugs with exquisite weaves of copper and leather designed by textile gurus Jorge Lizarazo and Haynes Robinson. The Cypriot born London artist Michael Anastassiades also displays his delicate lighting fixtures ‘Fontana Amorosa’. The series is inspired by fountains and is fabricated in lovely red patina brass. Must see.
Image by : cc-tapis
4/11
This Milan-based brand of rugs, which started in 2011, is born out of the well-known Paris-based Persian label, Maison Chamszadeh. The makers have been collaborating with various creative talents to bring out some riveting range of rugs. Designers dabble in inspirations from ancient Japan to geometric colours of Patricia Urquiola to Federico Pepe. This year’s collection also features Alex Proba and Mae Engelgeer celebrating colour and graphics whilst Martino Gamper and Parisotto + Formenton play with architectural layout and intersections. The collection is hand knotted by Tibetan artists in Nepal using Himalayan wool and silk. The complete range is being displayed in the brand new Duomo outlet.
Image by : Noor Dasmesh Singh
5/11
As part of the 90th landmark anniversary, Cassina’s installation takes place at the iconic Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli. Designed and curated by Patricia Urquiola, the installation creates a dialogue with the venue (building) designed by Herzog & de Meuron known for its cultural, creative and intellectual contribution to the city of Milan. It also informally links to Cassina’s monograph which is edited by Felix Burrichter and published by Rizzoli titled ‘This will be the place’ which gets released during the same time. The monograph publishes four interviews and one essay on contemporary social behavior and its impact on the future of interiors.
Image by : Ingo Maurer & Team
6/11
Brought by the legendary lamp maker Ingo Maurer together with architect Theo Möller, this playful light fixture is an inflatable glowing air hose. It comes rolled up in a pop-up compact can that looks nothing close to a lighting assembly. ‘Blow Me Up’ is flexible to use blown up, it can stand up and simply lean against the wall or be fastened to the ceiling or wall with hooks or nylon cords. Comes with an integrated 30W LED strip at 3000K colour temperature and works in a range of 110-240 volts- this should work well in flexible contemporary work and living spaces.
Image by : Created by Neri Oxman and the Mediated Matter Group, MIT Media Lab in collaboration with Lexus
7/11
The Triennale di Milano hosts the tenth edition of Lexus International in collaboration with Neri Oxman and her team- The Mediated Matter Group at the MIT Media Lab. Lexus known for its long standing passion for design and innovation creates this cutting edge magical experience using glass 3D Printing in architectural scales and sounds. Inspired by Lexus’ YET philosophy, the installation aims to create the experience of being grounded YET suspended by light—a wave yet a particle. Lexus also showcased 12 Design award finalists’ works as prototypes to demonstrate ‘out of the box’ thinking.
Image by : Formafantasma
8/11
The Amsterdam based Studio Formafantasma occupied the Spazio Krizia in Milan. The partner duo of Simone Farresin and Andrea Trimarchi joyfully took me around this historic venue to see their captivating lighting installation show. The treatment of fixtures is minimal to say the least and comes across as a delicate symphony of light with a touch of colours and optics albeit used in moderation and showcased meticulously. The LEDs are left visible and unfiltered precisely held together with steel rods, industrial materials and pencils and erasers. Selection of objects is from their ‘Delta’ collection, developed for the gallery Giustini Stagetti, Galleria O. Roma, and a series of experiments with light, developed for Peep-hole, an independent art centre in Milan.
Image by : Richard Ginori Press Office
9/11
The Italian artistic porcelain manufacturer has been producing stunning pieces since 1735 where beauty, art, design and fashion all come together. ‘Le Mani’ range originally designed by iconic architect Gio Ponti is presented for this year’s collection in four versions.
La Mano Fiorita - Magic and symbolism. The Flowering Hand, decorated with moulded flowers applied by hand with touches of gold; the second La Mano Fiorita - painted all gold and decorated with handmade flower applications in white porcelain. La Mano Trionfo Italiano - Inspired by Ponti's ornament, The Sorceress Hand, decorated in pure gold with elements that recall the world of magic and fortune-telling and the fourth La Mano in pure white porcelain for powerful minimalism.
The four versions of the hand are breathtaking.
Image by : Design Association npo / Able & Partners Japan Design Week
10/11
As part of the Japan Design Week exhibition at the Triennale di Milano, the glowing picture book exhibition was presented by contemporary artist Akihiro Nishino. One could witness some stunning detailing by the artist alongside six installations by contemporary creators from a wide range of genres. The Japan Design Week is presented by Able & Partners and is titled Takumi Exhibition.
Image by : Slamp Press Office
11/11
Zaha Hadid’s unique lamp piece is brought by Slamp of Italy. Its fluid and dynamic design is treated in metalized gold to bring out a dramatic play of light and reflections emanating from the fins of the fixture. It comes in three sizes of 50, 60 and 70 cm and with a finish of metalized gold as well as the ethereal transparent polycarbonate version.
