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Review of Milan 2011: The fabulous and the fantastic
Reviews
It’s not quite yet the end of our Milan 2011 coverage! As promised, we are pleased to present a guest report …
By Debora Jedwab
This is the fourth article about Milan’s fabulous design week in 2011. The most exciting part of the Interni was found at the super-trendy Lambrate district, East of Milan. Dutch design was evident in abundance in Milan, but as I will be writing a series of articles on the importance of Dutch design in the near future, this review will focus on other designers.
There were a number of fantastic installations and exhibits using the latest technologies:
OLED installation by Kaneka. Photo © Debora Jedwab
Kaneka produced a stunning display of innovative, atmospheric lighting for a Saké bar, resembling “yozakura” - cherry blossoms, lit up at night. Designed by Torafu Architects, this consisted of chains of red and white OLEDs, forming undulating surfaces covering the ceiling. OLEDs give a wonderfully flat light surface.
Nest by Silvio De Ponte studios. Photo © Debora Jedwab
Silvio De Ponte studio created an experiential space of enveloping atmospheres resembling its title, Nest, from bent wooden strips. The visitor interacted with the light by touching the wooden nets to transform the luminosity.
Neoreal Wonder. Photo © Daisuke Ohki
Neoreal Wonder, the 3rd exhibit of the latest technology by Canon at Superstudio Piu, was outstanding in its atmospheric expression using digital imagery and music. Canon’s digital cameras and printers also helped to create double-sided prints that were then die-cut and formed into delicate vases.
Cellular Chair by Mathias Bengtsson. Photo © Mindcraft
Mathias Bengtsson, who exhibited as part of the Danish Crafts exhibition Mindcraft 11, created the Cellular Chair by combining new medical technology with a lightweight material using a new production method for rapid prototyping. The chair is based on the same principle as bone tissue, making it strong and light through its cellular structure.
MINDCRAFT is an old favourite here at XYMARA.com. Check out all our previous mentions of MINDCRAFT and Danish Crafts here!
Robotic arm by Laikingland for Ted Noten. Photo © Debora Jedwab
Laikingland, run by the talented Nick Regan and Martin Smith, produces automata that are quirky and innovative. I am proud to say one of my students from Middlesex University, Mantas Brazinskas, was the program engineer for a special piece at Lambrate in association with Ted Noten, featuring a robotic arm that delivers a diamond set in a gold ring in the shape of his signature gun as a proposal to an unsuspecting bride to be.
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The work of Nendo: Nendo, one of the most interesting and most accomplished companies around, was in evidence everywhere: with the trompe l’oeil Thin Black Table for Cappellini, the ingenious Pond table for Moroso that works through mirrored reflections, a shelving system called Sundial for Kartell and the Maki lamp for Foscarini, made by rolling two sheets of metal one inside the other and prototyped in paper. This company goes from strength to strength. |  |
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ABOVE and RIGHT: Martino Gamper’s Vigno chair for Magis. Photo © Debora Jedwab Martino Gamper’s attractive Vigno chair for Magis resembled a climbing plant and used an unusual production method of bio-injection molded plastic for the seat, meaning that any two-color combinations are possible. Magis were also exhibiting a number of different versions of Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet’s Zartan chair made from bamboo, linen and hemp mixed with waste wood and wax or fish oil, a truly ecological chair using wholly natural materials and a beacon for the future of design. |  |
Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitllet’s Zartan chair for Magis. Photo © Debora Jedwab
“Talking Textiles” exhibit by Li Edelkoort. © Debora Jedwab
Li Edelkoort, trend guru, put on a splendid display in the Lambrate district in collaboration with Spazio Rossana Orlandi and Spazio Gianfranco Ferré called “Talking Textiles” to raise the profile of textile design, which she sees as a dying art. Li has set up a new trends website which she hopes will trigger trends debates.
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 ABOVE: Loredana Bonora’s crocheted furniture at PlusDesign. Photo © Debora Jedwab BELOW: Vanja Bazdulj’s “Rough and Ready” furniture. Photo © Debora Jedwab |
Two other lesser-known designers, not at this exhibition, but worth a mention, were the talented Loredana Bonora, who exhibited at PlusDesign gallery with her furniture that had been crocheted in a thoroughly modern and attractive way and Vanja Bazdulj with her exhibit “Rough and Ready” of experimental furniture from tailored, cured wool felt. Both are names to watch.
Yill mobile storage unit for the office. Photo © Steffan Jaenicke
Last but not least, Werner Aisslinger’s Yill Mobile Energy Storage Unit for mobile workspaces was really intelligently designed. Able to power a modern workstation for 2-3 days without cords or cables, Yill gets its energy from a charging station that draws power from renewable sources or any normal socket. Yill stores the energy in a stable, rechargeable lithium titanium battery, which recharges very quickly and lasts way longer than conventional lithium ion technology while allowing users to do away with floor socket banks. I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of this great design, which notably won a prestigious red dot design award 2011.
Debora Jedwab is a London-based designer, lecturer in Product Design Engineering at Middlesex University and freelance journalist.