Today we wrap our coverage of Milan Design Week 2016 with a selection of some of the most covet-worthy furniture, lighting, art and accessories on show. First up – The talents at Nendo tapped native popular culture to create a 50 chair installation for Friedman Benda. The concept behind the exhibit was based on Japan’s flat black and white manga comics – a form of art and entertainment that that can be traced back the the Edo period (1603-1868)…
Put on display at the beautiful Basilica Minore di San Simpliciano, the spirit of Manga was translated to each chair via their colorless, flattened forms. Further aspects of the comic style were portrayed via graphics such as speech bubbles, effect lines, and sweat marks. While each chair stands as a single frame, the full exhibit tells the story.
Swarovski is redefining the role of art in the home with the launch of Atelier Swarovski. The sister brand taps the talent of some of the world’s leading designers to create pieces like these striking candle holders by Kim Thome.
Dutch brand Moooi has translated designer Umut Yamac’s Perch Lights into a full collection of whimsical pendants, chandeliers, floor, table and wall lights. We couldn’t be more charmed!
Among other furniture, lighting and accessories, Hermès debuted these covetable ‘Spinning Tops’ made from beech wood and leather.
Toyota went back to basics at this year’s Milan Design Week with the debut of their wooden Setsuna concept car. Wood was chosen for its ability to show age and use. The idea is to create a visual document of the owner’s touch, use and love over time.
Latvian designer German Ermics continues to build upon his furniture and accessory line with fascinating plays on gradients applied to mirror and glass.
Axor invited top name designers and architects to “Create your own spout.” The results yielded 5 new concepts including the stunning ‘Steps’ fixture shown above. Design by Front. Photo by Uli Maier.
Apparatus’ new CIRCUIT lighting line begins with a single oval unit which is implemented individually or in groups to create a full line of chandeliers, pendants, and wall lights.
Tomás Alonso combined marble with UV-coated crystal to create a fascinating new line of vessels and trays for Atelier Swarovski.
New York based lighting designer Lindsey Adelman outdid herself with her new chain drenched Cherry Bomb Fringe collection. Created for Nilufar gallery in Milan, the collection was inspired by cherry blooms and branches draped in ice, or if you prefer, Spanish moss.
The kinetic Waterfall Light is composed of three hand blown ‘drops’. Each drop is produced with its own distinct optical mold then hung from a motorized ceiling attachment to complete the illusion of water in motion. Design by Cecilia Xinyu Zhang.
Designers Giopato & Coombes expanded their gorgeous Bolle line with the launch of some bubblelicious floor and wall lamps.
Kreoo introduces its first bathtub with the launch of Kora. Set atop a simple metal pedestal, the tub is carved from a single block of stone.
Apparatus never fails to delight and surprise. Cue their new TASSEL series which uses mold-blown glass cylinders to refract light in the most gorgeous way.
The Lollipop lighting collection by Boris Klimek for Lasvit uses slumped glass to explore concepts of transparency, color and light.
Designer Lee Broom’s ‘Salone del Automobile’. Photo by Marcus Tondo.
For this year’s events, the always brilliant Broom created a show-on-wheels inside his industrial delivery van. Following a long drive from Broom’s East London headquarters to Milan, the van opened its doors to reveal Broom’s new ‘Optical’ lighting range set within a surreal recreation of a traditional Italian palazzo. Photo by Marcus Tondo.
