Stand-out exhibits from the Milan Design Week this year span from experiential to immersive, from high-tech to lo-fi, executed and curated in a slightly contemporary and mesmerizing way.
Distortion, reflection ad refraction as leitmotif – yes, we experienced a oh massive use of reflective surfaces, mirrors, prisms and kaleidoscopic effects originating unusual perceptions, didn’t we?
Referencing last year’s elevated minimalism of visual merchandising , luminous materials, ethereal assemblages and subtle kinetic elements create that sense of fragility and lightness.
On the other side, lo-fi everyday objects, curated in a chaotic yet considered manner create a kitch overload of colour and texture.
The trend is re-shaped.
Here are some of the best hits.
CHINTAI : TOKYO GIRL’S ROOM
Four rooms. The first as a grey space with a central assemblage of black, white and grey stuffed animals alongside a pixelated grey scale backdrop. The next one is a pitch black, aiming to reset visitors’ senses before they enter the (chaotic?) colour room. Last room was white, white, white, with bright neon lights lining the walls and ceiling.
MISSONI : MIRRORING
Centred on a kaleidoscopic mirroring effect, Missoni’s installation was all about reflection. Reflecting the moltitude of colors and patterns throughout the whole installation, this seems a prelude to the Missoni, l’Arte, il Colore Exhibition at MA*GA Museum.
MU PRESENTS
Marcia Nolte, Stijn Van Der Vleuten and Bob Waanderburg are the three creative thinkers behind We Make Carpets, transforming everyday objects (pasta, plastic cutlery, clothes pegs, sponges) into elaborate assemblages. Around 50 temporary carpets were created over the space of five years, a selection was presented during the design week.
HUNDAY, SCULPTURE IN MOTIO 2.0, HELIO CURVE
Here is the number two part of Hunday’s Sculpture in Motion Series (first episode was in 2o13, with Fluidic Installation). This undulating sculpture is the result of a collaborative work, Reuben Marcolin + Hunday Motor Design Center, it celebrates harmony in the organic movement. Recreating the motion of an ocean wave…
MARNI : MERCADO DE PALOQUEMAO
Referencing the market in Bogotà, Colombia, Marni transformed its showroom into a colourfull fruit market – exotic goods such like pineapple, guanabana, zapote and curuba. Not too distant from last year’s installation, Animal House, colorful metal and PVC sculptures take inspo from the fruit alongside, spanning from oversize containers to smaller decorative items for centrepieces.
