In the sensory cluster-barrrage that is the Milan design week, making a lasting impression requires not just beautiful product, but the creation of immersive, surprising and original environments. Indesign Managing Editor Lorenzo Logi shares his favourites from the fair.
April 28th, 2015
1. Viabizzuno
A factor that contributed to this year’s installations being particularly impressive is the preparation underway for the 2015 World Expo in the same city – especially relevant to lighting companies for its coincidence with the 2015 International Year of Light. Viabizzuno’s installation ‘solis silos: feed on light’ by Mario Nanni consists of seven silos that have been internally designed to showcase the themes of earth, air, light bulbs, sun, moon, water and fire. Utilising Viabizzuno’s products, the installation created powerfully evocative micro-environments, marrying whimsy, vision and material richness.
When in doubt, always go with the aristocratic palace. Exploring the concept of ‘welcome’, 19 international designers created an installation in the grandiose setting of Palazzo Crespi, pairing contemporary, international talent with Italy’s classical decorative tradition.
3. Pedrali
With a reputation for memorable stands, the people at Pedrali must feel the pressure of expectation each year. Once again however, they rose to the challenge, creating a refreshingly clean system of ‘flying boxes’ where new releases could be showcased. Providing perfectly lit and composed tableaux for easy photographing is also eminently clever, with Instagram going gangbusters on the images.
4 Moooi
Another serial impresser, Moooi has spoilt its audience with consistently jaw-dropping installations at its Via Savona space. This year, the chromatic impact of their new rug releases clashed powerfully with the unsettling, large format black and white photographers to create a striking, unique experience.
5. iGuzzini
The Last Supper with old lighting (left) and new (right)
Leveraging one of the most recognised pieces of art on the planet may be considered cheating, however when you contribute to making that art shine more vividly than it has in decades, we’ll forgive it. iGuzzini’s ‘adoption’ of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece The Last Supper saw the lighting company research and install a brand new lighting system for the artwork, dramatically improving energy efficiency, allowing more visitors to enjoy it, and coaxing richer, more vibrant colour from the fragile paintwork.
6. Delta Light
Stark, crisp and architectural, Delta Light’s stand was the highlight (sorry) at this year’s Euroluce. Excellent use of new indoor and outdoor product allowed visitors to see the light in action, with interesting visual effects contributing moments of surprise to the experience.
7. Bolon
Bolon’s new Flow range of woven vinyl flooring formed the foundation for their presentation at the Fiera this year. The spatial concept, named ‘An Ocean Within’, transformed Bolon’s exhibition stand, with larger-than-life waves that undulated and rose high above visitors’ heads. At first the waves appeared water-like, Flow’s translucent materials catching the light, but as you stood back and shifted the mind’s eye a statuesque head and neck appeared – seemingly out of the blue, an expression of divine calm gracing its face.
Did we miss any? Share your thoughts with us below!
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