NILUFAR @MILAN DESIGN WEEK: ‘TIME TRAVELER’

Images courtesy of Nilufar

Nilufar via della Spiga 32 Milan: April 16, 2024

The historic location in Via della Spiga showcases new solo shows for Maarten de Ceulaer (Nilufar 25mq) and Draga & Aurel (Chez Nina). Moreover, new pieces by Christian Pellizzari and Lola Montes are exhibited in conversation with American Vintage pieces from the Sixties (ground floor). In addition, on display one sees new products by Joe Armitage, Arthur Duff, Gal Gaon and Irene Goldberg exhibited together with new Open Edition creations by Gupica, Anna Karlin and Federico Peri.

“Within the silence of each design artifact resides a symphony of journeys, traveling through lands, cultures and eras while narrating tales of material experimentation and creative evolution. Despite the physical and temporal distances that separate these objects, they stand as timeless witnesses, each containing a unique narrative. In their stillness, they invite us to unearth the profound connections that bind human expressions and experiences. ‘Time Traveler’ is dedicated to this special power of design,” explains Nilufar founder Nina Yashar.

GROUND FLOOR VIA SPIGA
– Christian Pellizzari presents ‘Brugmansia’, a new collection of ceiling, wall and floor lamps drawing inspiration from the world of flora and fauna. The designer delves into the creation of new creatures by blending elements from both natural realms through the artistry of Murano hand-blown glass and lighting. These unique art pieces, crafted exclusively for Nilufar gallery, were conceived during an early morning stroll in August in Tangier. Amidst the historical Medina, Pellizzari encountered vast bushes of Brugmansia, which sparked his imagination. He envisioned the extraordinary shapes of these flowers recreated in Murano glass, pondering how this plant could metamorphose into artistic pieces.

Christian Pellizzari

– Lola Montes unveils the ‘Ceramic relief paintings’, her latest creation—hand-painted terracotta tiles mounted on steel supports. Embarking on a new chapter in her artistic journey, Montes marks a significant evolution in her multidimensional oeuvre. Over two decades, she has pushed the boundaries of artistic expression, leaving an indelible mark on painting, sculpture, and film. Her innovative spirit now leads her to ceramics, where she collaborates with skilled artisans from Sicily, her adopted home since 2018.

Lola Montes

– American Design Focus: Nina Yashar put together a thoughtfully conceived selection of pieces of American furniture – from the 40s, 50s, and 60s – signed by renowned designers who shaped the history of American design including pieces by Lorin Jackson, Percival Lafer, Paul Lázló, James Mont, Philip and Kelvin Laverne, Edward J. Wormley and also by French master Max Ingrand, which will all be exhibited on the occasion of Nilufar Design Week 2024.

NILUFAR 25 MQ
– Maarten De Ceulaer presents ‘Duet’ showcasing the new ‘Superquadric’ series and new pieces for ‘The Stained Glass’ lighting collection. The Superquadric series are sculptural yet functional storage pieces that deal with rhythm, repetition and balance whose name comes from mathematics – a superquadric cube is a rounded cube. The Stained Glass collection presents colorful lighting pieces made of mouth-blown glass sheets. Their color combinations can be determined in advance and the patterns can be influenced during the production process but never fully controlled, making every piece truly unique.

Maarten De Ceulaer

CHEZ NINA
– Draga & Aurel present ‘Tinted Hues’. Witty, hypnotic, and reflective, this new project explores the potential of materials – epoxy resin and Lucite, first and foremost – and their ability to respond to light and color. In a sophisticated atmosphere, almost frozen in time and marked by a playful, light-hearted mood, you’ll encounter handmade collectors’ items featuring smooth forms and subtle hues. Such new products made exclusively for Nilufar in 2024 – the Glaze table, Dewdrops coffee table, and Puffed pouf – are presented together with a selection of art design objects as part of the Candy Box and Space Couture collections, proposed in new colors.

Presented by Zipblind

SENATO
– Anna Karlin presents the ‘Lantern Stack’ series where sculptural forms are meticulously stacked along a hand-finished tube, with a central light source casting a soft, organic glow that accentuates the inherent texture of the fiberglass material. The outlines of the forms are delicately punctuated by an aestheticized interpretation of rivets, adding a touch of industrial sophistication to the ethereal composition. Nilufar partners for the first time with the acclaimed British New York-based designer, further emphasizing the uniqueness and significance of this collection.

– Arthur Duff presents ‘No-oN (L), OY, Ooo, Um, Mmm and X’s’, a captivating series of lighting pieces derived from a meticulous exploration of sculpture as a vertical and connective phenomenon that embodies a delicate balance between dependence and autonomy. Each work is suspended, tethered yet engaged through the pull of gravity. Crafted by sheathing neon elements into a single woven polyester tubing, these pieces boast a seamless continuity.

Arthur Duff

– Gal Gaon presents the ‘Cosmic Butterflies’ collection and the ‘Crown Sofa and Armchair’. Drawing inspiration from nature’s evolutionary processes, the Cosmic Butterflies collection showcases a series of non-identical tables adorned with harmonious inlaid veneers, showcasing the architect and designer’s impeccable craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the Crown Sofa and Armchair seamlessly blend sculptural artistry with functional design, evoking the cozy embrace and organic allure of natural forms.

Gal Gaon

– Irene Goldberg presents ‘Purple Heart’, a collection emphasizing the harmonious fusion of industrial and natural elements. Inspired by her abstract paintings, it comprises three distinctive coffee tables, each an extraction of forms from Goldberg’s artistic creations. Central to the collection is the purpleheart wood, also known as nazareno wood, sourced from the lush forests of South America. Solid aluminum, a ubiquitous industrial material found in our everyday environment, is used to contrast the natural beauty of wood.

Irene Goldberg

– Joe Armitage presents the ‘Velanova’ collection, a departure from Armitage’s Iconical (iconic + conical) lampshades. This new collection comprises a chandelier and wall lamps featuring simplified tubular PET shades supported by timber spines with slender sculpted cross sections. These spines revolve around a central axis and are connected by a branch-like formation of brass tubes.

Joe Armitage