Milan 2013: Dutch brand Moooi has sent us these sketches by designers including Marcel Wanders, Studio Job and Joost van Bleiswijk for the Dutch firm's new collection launching in Milan next week.
Above: Cloud Sofa by Marcel Wanders
Presented at Via Savona 56, Moooi's Unexpected Welcome collection will feature new products by brand co-founder Marcel Wanders, including the Cloud Sofa, the Bell Lamp topped with a ceramic bow and the Farooo Lamp based on a lighthouse.
Above: Bell Lamp by Marcel Wanders
Also included are two helmet-like lamps decorated with Japanese fish and flowers by Milanese designer Lorenza Bozzoli and the crane-like Construction Lamp by Dutch designer Joost van Bleiswijk.
Above: Farooo Lamp by Marcel Wanders
Artists Studio Job will present a set of lamps with metal buckets or tubs for shades and a collection of interlocking furniture called Labirinth.
Above: Labyrinth by Studio Job
Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc will unveil a Golden Chair with a minimal silhouette, while Shanghai studio Neri & Hu will show a group of tables titled Common Comrades and Swiss design duo ZMIK will present a hinged hanging lamp called Kroon.
Above: Bucket lamp by Studio Job
Photography by Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf will surround the works. "Expect to arrive in Milano to experience two parallel universes collide," Wanders told Dezeen. "In the midst of it you'll encounter the works of Erwin Olaf, and also my new furniture for Moooi."
Above: Tub lamp by Studio Job
"The 2013 Moooi presentation is a game changer," said Moooi founder and CEO Casper Vissers. "You will find the creativity and soul of Moooi as a brand together with the individual, innovative and sparkling products from the designers we collaborate with. We will make your visit to Moooi unexpected and very welcome again!"
Above: Construction Lamp by Joost van Bleiswijk
Unexpected Welcome will be on show at Via Savona 56 in the Tortona district from 9 to 14 April. Our own Dezeen and MINI World Tour movie studio will be located just down the road at the MINI Paceman Garage - more details here.
Above: Kroon lamps by ZMIK
Other Moooi products we've featured include a clock inspired by London landmark Big Ben and a glass and spun metal lamp – see all design by Moooi and see all design by Studio Job.
Other products launching in Milan this year include an aluminium sideboard by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and modular furniture made from Meccano-like perforated steel plates – see all products and news from Milan 2013.
Above: Common Comrades by Neri & Hu
Here's more information from Moooi:
On occasion of the 52nd edition of the Salone del Mobile, Moooi has prepared an entire collection of refreshing new designs and surprising experiences that will be revealed at an unexpected location: via Savona 56. From the 8th to the 14th of April Moooi is taking up residence in the imposing space of 1.700 m2 and transforming it into a stylish assembly of colourful living quarters, new product displays, lounges, an artistic exhibition, along with the FRAME Moooi award nominees exposition, panel discussion, exclusive ceremony and VIP cocktail evening.
Above: Golden Chair by Nika Zupanc
Moooi’s biggest gift to the public is to reveal how a wide empty space can be magically transformed into several iconic, rich and colourfully dressed living quarters. This assortment of interior environments is decorated with an inspiring variety of patterns and colours to embrace any kind of space and make people of different ages, cultures and personalities fall in love with their homes. Of course Moooi will make sure to dress and accessorise all the interior sets with an irresistible blend of exquisite richness, nurturing warmth and colourful playfulness.
The living quarters will be furnished with items from the current collection & many new, exciting creations by Marcel Wanders, Studio Job, Joost van Bleiswijk, Edward van Vliet, Neri & Hu, Nika Zupanc, Moooi Works/Bart Schilder, Bertjan Pot, Raimond Puts, Lorenza Bozzoli and ZMIK (Mattias Mohr & Rolf Indermuhle). You are welcome to enjoy, amongst others, the artistic temperament and intimate nature of Marcel Wanders’ Canvas, Zliq and Cloud sofas, the retro atmospheres of Nika Zupanc’s Golden Chair and the sophisticated brightness of ZMIK’s Kroon chandeliers. Take some time to walk around and study the high-stream inventiveness of Joost van Bleiswijk’s Construction lamps, the pragmatic playfulness of Studio Job’s Bucket & Tub lamps and the graceful symbolism of Lorenza Bozzoli’s Juuyo lamps.
Above: Juuyo lamp, Koi Carp Tattoo by Lorenza Bozzoli
The new designs can also be admired and observed in detail along an extensive ‘catwalk’ presentation, in which they ‘pose’ individually to share their pristine beauty with the public. This unexpected home vision brings to life a whole world of new ideas and inspiring settings to brighten up daily life with a touch of magic. It represents a place where visions converge and where every traveller can stop to admire the perfect eclectic mix of culture & experiences that make a home environment more beautiful and unique. Celebrating the successful cooperation and friendship between two highly creative souls, Marcel Wanders has asked renowned photographer Erwin Olaf to join the Moooi presentation with a grand selection of photographs from his personal work. Interior design meets artistic photography and they connect, creating the perfect balance between two inspiring, stylish and playful realities.
The photographs unfold their stories and feelings on a large scale, reaching a stunning height of 4,5 meters especially for this exhibition. Admiring them feels like stepping into a world of exceptional sophistication, permeated with the sharp intensity of human emotions and enveloped in a dreamy haze of subtle tension. Although cleverly concealed, their hidden stories instinctively appeal and connect to our deepest sense of being, revealing the strong frailty of the human spirit. Erwin Olaf has chosen to challenge the public with pieces for his series Grief, Fall, Keyhole and Berlin which respectively challenge everyday notions, dwell on sensations of shame & guilt, or show the transcendent relation between people in a different light.
Above: Juuyo lamp, Peach Flowers by Lorenza Bozzoli
Especially for this occasion the Moooi presentation will be inhabited and characterized by a number of colourful mannequins by Hans Boodt. Combining 25 years of experience in visual merchandizing, creativity and know-how, the world-famous, high-quality mannequins of Hans Boodt never fail to make a great impression with their strong charisma. They will make themselves at home at Moooi’s presentation, bringing an extra feeling of intimacy to the living quarters and resembling peoples’ personality, style & taste. Real and surreal at the same time!
This year the exclusive Frame Moooi Award ceremony, VIP cocktail evening and panel discussion will also take place in via Savona 56. On the 10th of April a selected crowd of design professionals is invited to attend a unique cocktail evening dedicated to the celebration of creativity and design. Jana Scholze (Curator of Contemporary Furniture at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum) will crown the winner, who will receive a tempting award of €25,000. Detailed information on the 10 shortlisted designs will be available throughout the entire week of the Salone on artistic, informative panels at via Savona 56.
Above: Unexpected Welcome collection