Now that iSaloni 2019 is, unfortunately over, it is time to remember the most exquisite contemporary design pieces from the event, while we wait for another one to come. Here are the Highlights from this year’s edition of one of the best furniture design events in the world:
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1.625m/s2
“1.625m/s2” is an extremely creative art piece which explores the relationship between the sun and the moon. It is a mirrored mobile created by the talented Japanese designer Hiroto Yoshizoe, which reflects the light of one simple bulb. The mobile received its name from the downwards acceleration caused by the moon’s gravity on a falling body, which is equal to 1.625 metres per second squared.
iSaloni 2019: “1.625m/s2”. Photo: ©Hiroto Yoshizoe
According to the Tokyo-based designer, the mobile’s form was born from an attempt to visualize light and how it travels. It consists of a series of suspended mirrors that reflect light, from the lamp and from the sun, to illuminate the surrounding space.
“The moon is the most well-known indirect lighting to humanity. It receives light from the sun and gently shines above us and is strongly associated with our feelings from ancient times“, explains Yoshizoe. “Just like the moon, this lighting equipment receives light from external environments and appears to shine gently to our eyes. The objects shine as they float within the air, as if they are free from gravity”, he added.
iSaloni 2019: “1.625m/s2”. Photo: ©Hiroto Yoshizoe
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Origo Collection
The design studio David Pompa from Mexico City rounded porous volcanic stone into spheres for its latest lighting collection. The Origo collection includes pendant and wall fixtures built from simple geometric forms. Each of the designs includes a rounded black volcanic base with a glass bulb attached. The pendant light incorporates two stacked spheres suspended by a black wire. In the wall lamp, the same materials are repositioned horizontally, with the sliced the stone in half for mounting.
iSaloni 2019: “Origo Collection” by David Pompa. Photo: ©Deezen
David Pompa develops lamps by researching and exploring light, shapes, and contrasting materials. “Origo” is the latin word that means “origin. “Speaks about the origin of the universe, a specific point of time, an intersection of axes in space, where everything begins,” says David Pompa. “Origo’s minimalistic forms reinforce the fundamental relationship between light and shadows,” he added.
iSaloni 2019: “Origo Collection” by David Pompa. Photo: ©Deezen
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Grasshopper
The Grasshopper is a chair designed 81 years ago by Danish designer Finn Juhl that was now re-released by the furniture brand that bears his name. The chair was unveiled at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, which opened as part of Milan Design Week. Until now only the two original chairs made by Juhl in 1938 existed.
iSaloni 2019: “Grasshopper” by Finn Juhl. Photo: ©Deezen
“It seemed natural that this chair should be brought back to life at some point”, said the co-founder of House of Finn Juhl, Hans Henrik Sørensen. “Ever since I bought the book Håndværket viser vejen [The Craftsmanship Leads the Way] as a teenager, in which the Grasshopper was depicted, I have always been fascinated by this expressive chair.”
iSaloni 2019: “Grasshopper” by . Photo: ©Deezen
With an oak or walnut frame, and upholstery in fabric or leather, the back legs and armrests join to a point on the floor at the back of the chair, giving the impression of the bent legs of a grasshopper about to jump. The buttoned back of the chair extends up from the base and curls around on each side at the top to cocoon the sitter. This gives the piece the look of an insect-like head.
iSaloni 2019: “Grasshopper” by . Photo: ©Deezen
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A.I.
“A.I.” is a chair created by Philippe Starck for Kartell. The software company claims it is the first chair designed using artificial intelligence. Launched at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair during Milan Design Week 2019, the chair was designed by Starck using prototype generative design software developed by Autodesk.
“This is the first chair in production created by artificial intelligence in collaboration with human beings”, said the software company. Starck used Autodesk’s prototype software to create a strong, stable chair using minimal material, in a process that he described as “a lot like having a conversation”.
iSaloni 2019: “A.I.” by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Photo: ©Deezen
“Kartell, Autodesk and I asked the artificial intelligence a question: do you know how we can rest our bodies using the least amount of material?“, Starck said. “Artificial intelligence doesn’t have culture, memories or influences and so can only respond with its ‘artificial’ intelligence. A.I. is the first chair designed outside of the human brain, outside of our habits and how we are used to thinking.”
iSaloni 2019: “A.I.” by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Photo: ©Deezen
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Minnoti’s Collection
Minotti‘s art director Rodolfo Dordoni described how the brand worked with a diverse array of international designers to develop its identity for the Italian furniture manufacturer during Milan Design Week. Minotti showcased new furniture pieces from talented designers including Nendo, Christophe Delcourt, GamFratesi and Studio MK27, as well as by Dordoni, at its stand at Salone del Mobile this year.
According to Dordoni, the booth was designed to showcase Minotti’s updated brand identity, as well as to display the new collections. “In the past, we have worked with square geometrical forms“, he said. “The space that we’re presenting this year is more curved, more round. It’s a new form”.
iSaloni 2019: “Daniel Sofa” by Christophe Delcourt for Minotti. Photo: ©Deezen
iSaloni 2019: “Lawson Sofa” by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti. Photo: ©Deezen
Stay with us to find out more about the best of contemporary design, art and craftsmanship.
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