All the highlights from Design Miami/
This year’s Design Miami/ (6–10 December) comes at a pivotal time – sandwiched between the well-received inaugural Paris fair and its 20th anniversary next year – and looks set to be more exciting than ever. According to the event’s chief executive officer Jen Roberts, this year’s theme, ‘Where We Stand’, shines a light on ‘design inspired by place, identity, and heritage – and explores the role design plays both in reflecting and responding to the world around us’.
International artists are launching works while others are constructing colourful installations and a plethora of new galleries are participating. Coincidentally, Alcova, the independent design platform founded by Valentina Ciuffi and Joseph Grima, will hold its first overseas edition from 5–9 December (pictured above) at the quintessentially Miami Gold Dust Motel. Here, we preview more highlights...
‘Utopia’, Lara Bohinc
‘I find rounded shapes naturally comforting,’ Bohinc says of her latest installation, ‘Utopia’. Comprised of other-worldly structures made from cork and painted in pastel hues, the pieces (which include benches, a semi-circular sofa, stools and a standing light) have been installed in the Paseo Ponti Design District. Each piece has echoes of ‘Peaches’ – her previous collection. Think classic Bohinc but with an organic twist afforded by the use of cork. bohincstudio.com
‘Tapestry Sofa’, Harry Nuriev
First came the groundbreaking Balenciaga clothing-filled vinyl sofa. Next, it was the conversation pit upholstered in full denim showcased at the Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery. For his third showstopping sofa, the Crosby Studios’ founder Harry Nuriev has unveiled this highly eccentric couch made from a custom-print French tapestry, which fuses history (via the worn-out textile) with modernity (via the contemporary iPad holder). crosbystudios.com
‘Miami Design District Façade’, Andres Reisinger
Sought-after digital artist Andres Reisinger has used vast swathes of millennial pink fabric to clad the exterior of this Fendi store in Miami. ‘I conceived the installation to transcend mere visuality and become a confrontation, a mirror reflecting the viewer’s own mutable internal landscapes,’ he says. reisinger.studio
‘Backfrontal’, Fendi
Finding a moment of calm at Design Miami/ is no mean feat but visitors to Fendi Casa’s booth at the Convention Center will be swiftly transported into the couture house’s serene world. Designed by multi-disciplinary duo Bless, the space is dominated by four double-sided architectural screens (pictured).fendi.com
‘Expression. Service. Essence.’, Samuel Ross
British multidisciplinary artist Samuel Ross has unveiled a series of sculptural benches for Miami Design District – the city’s creative neighbourhood. Made of CNC steel with a white powdered coating, the benches will serve to enliven the streets, while simultaneously addressing Ross’s interest in functionality and the role of furniture in public spaces. ‘I hope these pieces promote enquiry, democratising the funnel to philosophy, to meaning and to who gets to enquire,’ says Ross. miamidesigndistrict.com
‘Esmal’, Florence Louisy
Mumbai-based Æquō Gallery, proudly heralded as India’s first collectable design gallery, will be exhibiting for the first time in a move by the fair to spotlight lesser-known names. The trendy new kid on the block, which has just announced a collaboration with Estúdio Campana, will present works by Florence Louisy, including this emerald green copper wall light. Prepare to be dazzled. aequo.in
‘Dry Garden’, Objects of Common Interest
The inaugural international edition of Alcova is set within the Selina Gold Dust Motel, a 1950 marvel of architectural history. Over Design Miami/ the space will be inhabited by a mix representing a cross-section of the most forward-looking of today’s design scene, including Objects of Common Interest’s jewel-like stools (pictured). alcova.xyz
‘Miami Pool House’, Soho House
The hottest place to hang out during Design Miami/ will likely be Soho House’s new establishment, Miami Pool House, which opened its doors on 18 November. Joining the chain’s Soho Beach House Miami, the lodging leans into its locale with tropical plants, warm woody tones throughout and a rooftop pool framed by retro sun loungers. We predict it’ll give Ken Fulk’s Goodtime Hotel Miami a run for its money. sohohouse.com
‘Stacked’, Sabine Marcelis
This coffee table is part of a new four-piece collection that Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis has produced exclusively for Side Gallery. Made from onyx (much like the work she showed in Milan with SolidNature), the pieces are finished in her hallmark glossy style with a top made from translucent cast resin in a warm cognac hue. side-gallery.com
‘Box’, Max Lamb
If you missed Lamb’s critically acclaimed ‘Box’ exhibition in London, you’ll be glad to know that he’s showing it again with Gallery Fumi at Design Miami/. To promote sustainability, each furniture piece in the exhibition is made from waste cardboard. Scrap material includes storage tubes and corrugated cardboard, while paper-gum tape and wheat-based glue bind the layers together, creating a structural integrity like that of rock or wood. galleryfumi.com
‘Tartagnan’, India Mahdavi
American furniture and lighting stalwart Ralph Pucci’s new 929-square-metre gallery (set to open during the week of Design Miami/) will exhibit work by a number of globally renowned designers. Among them is Iranian French architect India Mahdavi, who will launch a new coffee table and a purple, green and beige screen divider (pictured) alongside her successful six-metre-long ‘Oedipe’ sofa. ralphpucci.com
