Mandi Keighran and Alice Blackwood give you their top picks from Spazio Rossana Orlandi in Milan.

Omer Arbel

Our first stop at Spazio Rossana Orlandi was the ’black room’ where Vancouver-based designer Omer Arbel had installed his ’19 Series’. Here, Alice interviewed Arbel about his new work, material experimentation and Milan – stay tuned for the interview on Indesignlive.com.

A verdant ’28 Chandelier’ by Arbel hangs above the lush green courtyard that welcomes visitors to the gallery.

 

 

 

Frederique Morrel

These incredible artifacts by duo Frederique Morrel included ’Passe-Murailles’ – life size trophy sculptures, human heads and limbs, and enormous beads all covered with vintage found needlework.

 

 

Trap Light Save Energy by Gionata Gatto & Mike Thompson

This installation proposes a new approach to lighting using photoluminescent pigments (the stuff glow-in-the-dark stars are made of!) to capture escaping light, thus converting waste energy back into visible ambient light.

 

 

Fondazione Plart presents Botanica – a project by Studio Formafantasma

One of our favourites in Milan! Commissioned by Plart – an Italian Foundation dedicated to scientific research and technological innovation in the recovery, restoration and conservation of works of art and design produced in plastic – Botanica investigates the history of polymers.

The objects displayed are designed as if the oil-based era in which we live never took place, exploring the possibilities offered by natural polymers extracted from plant or animal-derivatives.

 

 

 

 

Self Discipline by Nika Zupanc

The ’Homework’ collection is a beautifully realised range of pleated furniture. Nika was on hand at the gallery to demonstrate how clothes can be ’filed’ in the wardrobe!

 

Jaime Hayon for Kutani Choemon

Wonderfully whimsical ceramics by Jaime Hayon for Japanese ceramics company Kutani Choemon.

 

 

 

Check out all of our Milan 2011 coverage here