TAKT PROJECT

Led by Satoshi Yoshiizumi, Takt Project is a studio based in Tokyo that leads with the idea of innovation. The concept of ‘growing through glowing’ is based on years of research to investigate how we can make design circular; essentially renewing itself. After entering the darkened ‘cave’ you saw a simple line of resin pendants that were growing through specially programmed LEDs. “The installation creates a new environment that is neither natural nor artificial”. A raw output that was truly haunting; coming across very organic and not at all contrived. The science behind the installation was clearly complex, however the exhibition managed to display the information in a format that was easy to understand. It highlighted the blurred lines between reality and technology and that seemingly impossible ideas can become reality.

YOY - EXISTENCE

I stumbled across this exhibition and I’m very grateful I did! YOY is a Tokyo-based multidisciplinary studio that designs furniture, lighting and interior spaces. Their solo exhibition ‘Existence’ focused on the limitations of the human brain and “errors that occur within perception”. As a sort of design optical illusion, they used lighting and technology to represent objects that were visually inaccurate or weren’t there at all!

YAMAHA - PULSE

After an absence of 11 years, Yamaha Design Laboratory returned with an exhibition under the arches in Ventura Centrale. They offered visitors the chance to explore how technology can trigger emotions. During my time there I observed two young children playing on the piano installation and it was clear how much joy it was bringing them. ‘Pianissimo Fortissimo’ was a stunning wall-mounted piano/art piece that offered the ability to enjoy music whilst getting lost in another form of art.

DNP - PATTERNS AS TIME

Again, based under the arches in Ventura Centrale, this installation presented how technology can be used to totally transform an environment. Yet another innovative Japanese design studio, one this time with an astonishing 140 years under its belt! ‘Patterns as time’ was a buzzing balance of vivid colours and striking monochromatic shapes that gradually changed as you explored the space. I’ve always been interested in pattern and its ability to bring nature and culture into design schemes. “Our thoughts are passing on traditional ideas and historic concept to next generations through design that is connecting past and present with information”. Edo-Komon’s contemporary take on traditional Japanese patterns represented both DNP’s long heritage and their ability to adapt and still be ahead of the curve.

TARKETT + NOTE + MAGIS - FORMATIONS

Tarkett worked with Note in order to represent ‘IQ Surface’ in a way that went beyond the limitations that most people associate with the material. The installation comprised of large totem-like posts that were in the most beautiful array of pink, neutral and warm hues. Magis added a touch of reality by transforming the ‘art’ into real-life and highly usable settings.

NATURE

ODDNESS - LARVA LAMP

An eclectic mix of fun products that looked at uncommon production techniques. I was particularly drawn to the ‘Larva Lamp’ that seemed to be nothing more than recycled plastic and industrial wire. It just shows how sometimes the inexpensive can become the talking point within a design.

KVADRAT + RAF SIMONS - FABRICS

This exhibition was such a harmonious clash between the delicacy of the floral display and the urban space it was set in. There was a sense of ordered wilderness here. A feeling that Raf Simons and Kvadrat had taken something very ordinary, nurtured it, then replaced its natural environment to ensure it stands out. The collection by Raf Simons is exactly that, very textural, adding more depth but without losing the delicate nature of the fabric.

AQUA LEONARDO DA VINCI’S WATER VISION - INSTALLATION

‘Aqua Leonardo Da Vinci’s Water Vision’ was not one to miss, even if I did queue in the rain for over an hour! Taken into the (waterless) canal, you are treated to a darkened display using water, light and sound. Built around the story of Da Vinci’s fascination with water, technology was used to enhance our experience and manipulate the way we encountered it.

THE UNIVERSE

BVLGARI - WEAVING THE COSMOS

One of the big fashion house collaborations this year was between Bvlgari and Tomás Saraceno. This installation was a complete surprise which was great as I find social media a tool that often adjusts your opinion before you’re able to start building it yourself. Soon after entering the space you realise it’s full of spiders building webs. As much as I didn’t want to stick around, there was something quite enchanting about it! The installation considered natural forms ‘great and small’ and how spiders webs can be compared to floating galaxies.

THE BODY

HUMANSCALE - BODIES IN MOTION

Humanscale designer Todd Bracher and Studio The GreenEyl collaborated to create an interactive installation with a clear message. All excited to see how their movement could be represented by lights, visitors queued to see themselves morph into a large dancing figure on the big screen. The installation was a reflection of Humanscale’s deeply rooted design ethics and understanding of ergonomics. Office workers spend a large portion of their lives sat in chairs and I speak from experience when I say that Humanscale’s expertise are hugely beneficial to life spent in an office environment. Humanscale’s mantra is to work with the body rather than restricting it; ‘Bodies in Motion’ was an installation that represented this concept very well!

USM + WALLPAPER HANDMADE

Whilst in Milan I was treated to dinner at the Terrazza Triennale by the wonderful USM team; the setting was wonderful with amazing views across the city! I sat next to Pascal, the International Business Development Director, whose passion and commitment to the brand was truly inspiring. Later during my time in Milan, I visited the ‘Wallpaper Handmade’ exhibition and was amazed to see the product in a vibrant pink shade. USM are a classic brand that are iconic due to their ability to stay true to who they are whilst also staying relevant. It reminded me of the recent photography campaign with 9 high-profile Australian designers who represented the immense versatility of the product without turning the icon into an art-piece. The same can be said for the Wallpaper installation, the product was the art without the need to deconstruct it into anything else.

BISELY + DISEGNO - BOB

Whilst visiting Alcova, I visited the Bisely ‘BOB’ display as curated by Disegno. The first thing that struck me was the simplicity of the product. Designed by Paul Kelley, the cube form is constructed from hand-crafted plywood and can be made-up into a wide variety of configurations. Offering a product with the flexibility to constantly update to suit changing requirements is honourable. Within a ‘throw-away’ culture that’s aiming to become more sustainable I believe it is not only the responsibility of the consumer, but also the designers themselves. Bisely have created a product that doesn’t require replacing after 5 years as it can be broken down, easily moved to new locations and totally transformed due to its modular design – a job well done!

MOOOI + NOTE DESIGN - MAZE

For the ‘Maze’ rug, Moooi collaborated with Stockholm-based design studio Note to create a three-dimensional architectural design. Note’s affliction with the form of staircases keeps the rug on brand whilst also creating a design that sits well within Moooi’s existing collections of iconic patterns.

&TRADITION + JAIME HAYON

&Tradition collaborated with much loved designer Jaime Hayon to produce the Elefy chairs. I’m quite the fan of both &Tradition and Hayon and these chairs certainly do not disappoint – comfortable, elegant yet playful!

B&B ITALIA - UP50

In celebration of the UP chair hitting the big 50 this year, B&B Italia pulled out all the stops to celebrate. In all honesty if you didn’t know much about the brand you could have very easily mistaken the ‘UP’ as a new piece! The chair itself is an icon not only for its shape but also for the fact it was one of the first to represent social matters such as male and female equality within its design formation. Often considered to be a reflection of a female form, the chair is chained to a ball which is said to represent being a prisoner of many things such as oneself, but mainly perception and male prejudices. The large installation outside the Duomo was definitely a great way for the icon to reach the masses.

FRITZ HANSEN + JAIME HAYON

Another collaboration between Fritz Hansen and iconic Spanish designer Jaime Hayon sees the launch of the JH97 lounge chair. A comfortable mix between a corporate and millennial co-working lounge chair, meaning there are many settings this could be used. The design aesthetic is also mixed as described by Hayon “classic yet modern, bold yet simple, light yet solid” all of which I’d agree with.

LUKAS WEGWERTH - THREE + ONE

It was interesting to meet with Lukas and to discuss the ‘THREE + ONE’ system. Often simplistic design is overlooked; therefore it was great to learn more about the principles that had been used. On the face of it a very humble joint mechanism, however it had an integrity that reflected the studio’s roots in Berlin. The furniture collection that followed is well-considered and really cool – perfect for an urban setting!

LAMBERT + FILS LUMINAIRES

The installation based in Alcova showcased the Sainte collection in all its glory. The new collection with Rachel Bussin uses layered colourful glass in rectangular forms that just float above their setting – really striking!