Review: Milan Design Week


Blueprint editor Johnny Tucker reports from this year’s Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week


3 – 9 April 2017
Review by Johnny Tucker 

Ikea made its biggest splash at Milan since it first debuted the PS range in a greenhouse back in 1995, by taking some 3,500 sq m of Lambrate. The warehouse space was filled with reimagined products, as well as installations from the likes of Faye Toogood and even synthesisers from Teenage Engineering to tinker with. Ikea was bringing to the fore its designer credentials that have seen it launching pieces from Piet Hein Eek and Tom Dixon (Delaktig bed) among others.

And as if to underline the relationship, buses were ferrying people between Ikea’s installation and Dixon’s latest venture Multiplex in the beguiling Cinema and Galleria on Via Manzoni.

Save Our Souls installation for Moroso, by 16-year-old Achilleas Souras, uses discarded refugee lifejacketsSave Our Souls installation for Moroso, by 16-year-old Achilleas Souras, uses discarded refugee lifejackets

Not far away, Deltalight eschewed Euroluce to launch three products designed by OMA, Arik Levy and Dean Skira. OMA’s three-piece XY180 collection introduced versatile graphic effects to the darkened interior spaces in a popular infinity-mirror room in a palazzo in the Brera district. Very nearby was an installation of a very different kind from Moroso — Save Our Souls. Created by 16-year-old Achilleas Souras from abandoned refugee lifejackets, it brought home a very powerful message.

Adam Nathaniel Furman’s 4 Characters in the 1st Act for Camp Design Gallery - four bold furniture pieces celebrating colour and form (and the Eighties)Adam Nathaniel Furman’s 4 Characters in the 1st Act for Camp Design Gallery - four bold furniture pieces celebrating colour and form (and the Eighties)

And Moroso again featured, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in the mania of the Salone itself at the Fierra, with great pieces from Ron Arad, Nendo and a new chair from Amanda Levete destined to be used in her V&A extension opening 1 July. Others at Salone worth a mention include Arper, BD Barcelona’s extremely Jolly vases by Jaime Hayon, and old master Antonio Citterio’s new Grand Sofa for Vitra, proving he still has that magic touch. And this year, of course, was Euroluce year.

OMA’s XY180 for Deltalight in an infinity-mirror room in a palazzo in BreraOMA’s XY180 for Deltalight in an infinity-mirror room in a palazzo in Brera

Sand by Studio Ayaksan is an exquisite zen timepiece. In the morning it rakes lines and after midday it rakes the sand smooth againSand by Studio Ayaksan is an exquisite zen timepiece. In the morning it rakes lines and after midday it rakes the sand smooth again

A Teenage Engineering jam in the IKEA warehouse spaceA Teenage Engineering jam in the IKEA warehouse space

An oversize chair was part of Faye Toogood’s installation for the Swedish furniture giantAn oversize chair was part of Faye Toogood’s installation for the Swedish furniture giant

Salone

Jaime Hayon’s Susto vases for BD Barcelona are meant to be skiers — very happy onesJaime Hayon’s Susto vases for BD Barcelona are meant to be skiers — very happy ones

Nendo’s Flow Table - one of two collections for AliasNendo’s Flow Table - one of two collections for Alias

The Arcos chair, designed by Lievore Altherr Molina, is a art-deco-esque work in progress from ArperThe Arcos chair, designed by Lievore Altherr Molina, is a art-deco-esque work in progress from Arper

Antonio Citterio’s super-elegant Grand Sofa for VitraAntonio Citterio’s super-elegant Grand Sofa for Vitra

UN Studio’s Reset pods were prototypes for units aimed at helping lower stress levels in the work environment. The practice is currently working with some big corporations in this areaUN Studio’s Reset pods were prototypes for units aimed at helping lower stress levels in the work environment. The practice is currently working with some big corporations in this area

PearsonLloyd’s Ischia seating collection for TacchiniPearsonLloyd’s Ischia seating collection for Tacchini

Satellite at Salone

A sense of fun and humour pervades the work of André Teoman, including the 3m-long kaleidoscope table and his designer fortune cookiesA sense of fun and humour pervades the work of André Teoman, including the 3m-long kaleidoscope table and his designer fortune cookies

A sense of fun and humour pervades the work of André Teoman, including the 3m-long kaleidoscope table and his designer fortune cookiesA sense of fun and humour pervades the work of André Teoman, including the 3m-long kaleidoscope table and his designer fortune cookies

Lawless pieces by Detroit duo Aratani Fay show great awareness of formLawless pieces by Detroit duo Aratani Fay show great awareness of form

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