I’m stretching the boundaries of Zona Tortona slightly, to include MOST, which was again hosted at Milan’s National Museum of Science and Technology, just around the corner. MOST was initiated by Tom Dixon and launched last year at the same impressive venue, originally built as a Monastery in the 16th Century.
We started in the basement, where I was captivated by these incredibly delicate paper Airvases by Torafu Architects floating around the ceiling space.
Pythagoras by Sander Mulder is inspired by origami – a plain sheet of aluminum is laser cut, and then bent into the final product. I loved the 3D flat plan style display.
Upstairs on the balcony overlooking the garden, every chair Piet Hein Eek has ever made was displayed under the headline “Most of the chairs didn’t become successful” – a lesson in creativity if ever there was one, especially for someone like me who is such a huge fan of his work.
Improvisation and Experiment by the University of Art and Design, Offenbach (HfG) presented a range of products made using a “self-made rotational moulding machine”. Using a fast-setting plaster, the students were making products that resembled ceramics live at MOST. I loved Black Vessels by Martin Hirth.
Jake Phipps, of bowler hat lights fame, was launching a new range of products including this stool made from coconut fibre – the fibre is made from the husk of the fruit which grows to full size in just 45 days making it incredibly sustainable. It’s the first time this method has been used in furniture production.
One of the most visually arresting spaces at MOST was the Studio Job and Lensvelt collaboration in the Sala del Cenacolo, the fresco room. I loved the sheer repetition of these little lights.
And finally, Czech brand Brokis shared a beautiful display of lights, my favorite of which were these Balloons in white. Then it was over to Zona Tortona proper…
I loved these ethereal light shades by PINWU, winners of last year’s SaloneSatellite Design Report Award.
We dived into designersblock, where it was great to Coralie Bonnet developing applications for her experimental embroidery, launched at designersblock London, including lighting, a desk and ceramic tiles.
It was lovely to meet Charlotte Arvidsson and her beautifully understated rocking chair…
…and Haruka Furuyama and her Lilla Ateljen range inspired by a “comfortable, cosy, simple, inspring and bright” small Oland house once used by artist William Nording.
It was very exciting to see Alex Mueller‘s work, having published an interview with him just a few weeks ago.
And my favourite find of the day was the Tea Makes the World A Better Place range from The New English, so new that it was only named in response to my question about what it was called! I loved the tattoo-inspired typography.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- out and about :: new british at vivienne westwood
- out and about :: wallpaper* handmade
- out and about :: salonesatellite
- out and about :: ventura lambrate
