LASTING MEMORIES
PHOTOGRAPHY GAIA BONANOMI
TEXT AND CURATION BY JULIUS VÆRNES IVERSEN
Over the years, the design week in Milan and Salone del Mobile specifically has grown in popularity, attracting not only professionals from the design and architecture industries but also individuals from various creative fields. It has become a center of innovation and creativity, drawing a diverse crowd, and generating an extraordinary level of interest. The atmosphere is truly electrifying!
During my time in Milan this year, I teamed up with a photographer to capture my experience and the essence of the event by photographing and documenting various locations in Milan. Our focus was on functional art and collectible design, which are prominently showcased at the Salone del Mobile. We embarked on a three-day journey, capturing installations, exhibited objects, still life compositions, as well as portraits of artists, architects, and participants.
Our aim was to show not only the variety of exhibitions, but also the blurred boundaries between art and design, highlighting the creative works that exist in the gray area between the two. Notably, we vent beyond the traditional realm of design by photographing fashion houses who have ventured into collectible design and installations.
Traditionally, there has been a distinct separation between architects, designers, and artists, each confined to their respective domains. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards a more fluid exchange of ideas and collaboration between these disciplines. This convergence of creative industries results in something magical, where an artist explores architectural formats, or an architect delves into art and design. Milan and the Salone del Mobile serve as a grand stage, allowing professionals from diverse backgrounds to explore beyond their usual realms and showcase their talents. While the focus of the event is primarily on design, we observed the emergence of collaborations between major fashion houses and artists. Brands like Loewe and Etro commission artists and designers to create installations that not only generate attention for the brand but also promote young and emerging talent.
This blending of established and emerging talent adds a unique dynamic to the event and provides a platform for these artists to gain exposure. The Byredo installation was a great example. It was created in collaboration with artist Dozie Kanu and offered a captivating sensory and visual journey into the Bal d’Afrique vision. Rooted in the diverse cultural heritage of Africa and the Afro-Diaspora, Kanu’s immersive pavilion paid homage to the creativity, arts, and traditions of the continent by featuring a compelling blend of new artwork and a curated selection of photographs from the archival project Saman Archive. The pavilion served as a testament to the profound interconnection between art, history, and design.
The merging of these creative industries also reflects a broader societal shift towards valuing multidisciplinary skills and approaches. By combining diverse perspectives, practitioners can tackle complex challenges and create works that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Some of the most impressive works we saw in Milan were the installations, where bodily experiences played a crucial role in creating immersive and engaging artworks. While traditional art forms often focus primarily on visual and cognitive stimulation, these installations aim to stimulate multiple senses. By incorporating bodily experiences, artists can elicit a deeper emotional and physical response from the viewer. They aim to go beyond aesthetic appreciation and engage the viewer's emotions, generating a sense of wonder, surprise, or even discomfort. By intentionally eliciting emotions, these installations aim to forge a deeper connection between the artwork and the viewer. Some made you feel joy, awe, or fascination, while others were unsettling and challenged the viewer's comfort zone, provoking reflection and contemplation. Personally, I tend to lean towards the uncanny, the ones that elicit uncomfortable emotions. For me, they leave a more permanent mark.
In the same vein, when I work on my own installations, I aim to create experiences that resonate with the viewer and leave a lasting memory. I have primarily focused on botanical formats but have been intrigued by the possibility of exploring other realms. Always with the aim of evoking emotions. It is exciting to be part of the movement where botanical formats can now be appreciated as installation art; again, blurring the lines between disciplines.
Attending the design week in Milan and Salone del Mobile repeatedly has made me realize the overwhelming nature of the event. With numerous exhibition venues and an array of offerings, it becomes impossible to see everything. Therefore, careful selection becomes necessary, focusing on the venues and installations that evoke a sense of wonder and surprise. It is these extraordinary elements that create momentum and generate excitement, ultimately leaving a lasting impression on the visitors. Our story from Salone is my point of view; it’s what interests me, what catches my eye and what elicits my emotions, but it is also an attempt to display how the event showcases the dynamic convergence of art, design, and fashion and how it comes to serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of creativity, where artists and designers are breaking free from traditional constraints and forging new paths of expression.
