Building materials

Sculptural Illumination: Richard Yasmine's Sensory Lighting Art

Richard Yasmine's latest collection, 'Vessels of the Intangible,' transcends traditional design boundaries, manifesting as a captivating exploration of human perception and sensory experience through sculptural lighting. Each piece in this collection is a profound artistic statement, transforming abstract sensory concepts into tangible forms that challenge and engage the viewer's understanding of light, form, and emotion.

Experience the Unseen: Light Sculptures That Awaken the Senses

Embodying the Elusive: Sensory Organs as Artistic Inspiration

The collection, named 'Vessels of the Intangible,' delves into the intricate relationship between sensation and cognition. It posits that our understanding of the world is shaped by the subtle emotional and sensory cues that precede intellectual interpretation. Unveiled at the prestigious Milan Design Week 2026 as part of 5VIE, this project stands as a testament to the power of design to evoke profound experiences.

From Anatomy to Abstraction: The Transformation of Sensory Forms

Each individual artwork in the series draws inspiration from a specific sensory organ – the eye, ear, nose, lips, or finger. Rather than literal anatomical representations, these pieces offer abstract interpretations, re-envisioning familiar bodily elements as independent, sculptural light objects. This transformative process redefines sensory functions: sight becomes an echoing afterimage, sound translates into resonant vibrations, scent manifests as a lingering trace, touch leaves an indelible imprint, and taste evolves into pure anticipation.

A Rich Tapestry of Materials: Crafting Tactile Narratives

The creation of this collection involves an eclectic mix of materials and sophisticated techniques. Elements like metal, leather, foam, and wood are combined with intricate inlays, delicate embroidery, hand-blown glass, natural rattan, and lustrous enamel. This diverse material palette contributes to a layered aesthetic, where each surface is meticulously shaped, assembled, and detailed to accentuate texture and tactile qualities. The resulting objects appear as finely crafted artifacts, detached from their biological origins yet maintaining a compelling physical presence.

Internal Radiance: Light as an Evocative Force

In this installation, light is not merely a functional element but an intrinsic component that emanates from within the sculptural forms. It serves to emphasize the volumetric properties of each piece, highlighting their unique surfaces and intricate contours. Instead of broadly illuminating the surrounding space, the light specifically enhances the objects themselves, creating a distinctive atmosphere and influencing the viewer's perception of the installation.

Neo-Baroque Echoes in a Modern Context: Formal Language and Emotional Resonance

Formally, the collection subtly reinterprets neo-baroque aesthetics, filtering them through a more introspective and psychological lens. The pieces are characterized by an emphasis on graceful curves, inherent tension, and precise surface articulation, culminating in a sense of controlled yet intense expression. Their presence invites close observation, yet a degree of abstraction maintains an intriguing distance.

Interconnected Experiences: Object, Perception, and Environment

Exhibited at 5VIE Milano, the 'Vessels of the Intangible' installation by Richard Yasmine creates an environment where the connection between objects and perception is paramount. The focus extends beyond the individual piece to the dynamic interactions it fosters, prioritizing a holistic sensory and spatial experience over straightforward representation. The entire installation, with its evocative forms and internal light, encourages viewers to engage with their senses in a new and profound way.

SolidNature and OMA/AMO Create 'Il Sonno Supermarket' in Milan

SolidNature and OMA/AMO unveiled the 'Il Sonno Supermarket' at Milan Design Week 2026, an installation that ingeniously redefines the conventional shopping experience. Housed within ME Milan Il Duca, the project transforms an ordinary market setting into a profound study of SolidNature's exquisite stone. The structure, characterized by its translucent polycarbonate and metal truss framework, immediately evokes a supermarket, yet every element—from shelves to individual products—is crafted from durable stone, embedding a sense of permanence into items typically associated with transience. This innovative approach encourages visitors to slow down and appreciate the intricate details of each stone-carved item, fostering a deeper connection with the materials and their inherent value.

The conceptual core of 'Il Sonno Supermarket' lies in its ability to challenge the ephemeral nature of modern consumption. Items like bottles, eggs, and packaged foods, meticulously sculpted from onyx, marble, and other natural stones, are instantly recognizable but reveal their true, immutable form upon closer inspection. This deliberate choice of material by SolidNature and OMA/AMO shifts the perceived value of these objects, emphasizing sustainability, longevity, and authenticity over the rapid cycles of mass production and consumption. David Mahyari of SolidNature highlights this reevaluation, stating that natural stone introduces a value rooted in enduring qualities, thus contrasting with systems driven by speed and disposability. The reflective surfaces along the installation's perimeter further enhance this contemplative atmosphere, drawing visitors into the display and creating a dialogue between movement and stillness.

The installation's title, 'Il Sonno Supermarket' (The Sleep Supermarket), alludes to a dream-like state, where familiar actions are suspended and transformed. Samir Bantal of AMO notes that shopping often involves an unthinking, reflexive behavior. Here, this reflex is deliberately arrested, turning products into fixed, sculptural gestures that prompt observation rather than mere acquisition. The ambient lighting and subtle sound design, mimicking a typical retail environment, further ground this surreal experience in a recognizable reality, while the stone medium pulls it into an entirely different dimension. This interplay between the mundane and the eternal offers a unique opportunity for introspection, allowing visitors to recognize objects and then realize their solidified, timeless nature, ultimately creating an impactful, thought-provoking experience at Milan Design Week.

This innovative exhibition showcases how art and design can intersect with everyday life, inviting us to reconsider our relationship with the objects around us. By elevating common goods to timeless sculptures, the installation inspires a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship, sustainability, and the enduring beauty of natural materials, fostering a more mindful approach to consumption and existence.

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Uzbekistan's Craft Pavilion at Milan Design Week 2026: A Journey Through Tradition and Adaptation

The "When Apricots Blossom" exhibition at Milan Design Week 2026 offers an immersive exploration of Uzbekistan's vibrant craft heritage, reimagining traditional practices within a contemporary architectural framework. This innovative project, spearheaded by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation and guided by curator Kulapat Yantrasast, transcends mere display, presenting craft as a dynamic and adaptive force intimately linked to the unique environmental and cultural landscape of the Aral Sea region. The installation transforms Palazzo Citterio into a multifaceted experience, guiding visitors through a journey from exterior facade to intimate interior spaces, each element thoughtfully designed to convey a narrative of survival, adaptation, and cultural continuity. Through a blend of traditional motifs and modern interpretation, the exhibition underscores the enduring relevance of Uzbek craftsmanship in a global context.

Central to this experience is the pavilion's thoughtful design, which extends beyond its physical structure to encompass the entire visitor journey. From the vibrant textile installations adorning the palazzo's facade to the inviting, reconfigurable seating within the courtyard, every detail is meticulously curated. The interior of the pavilion, with its light-filtering structure and evocative display of artifacts, further immerses attendees in Uzbekistan's artistic narrative. This exhibition successfully bridges the gap between historical tradition and contemporary design, offering a profound appreciation for the ingenuity and resilience embedded in Uzbek culture.

Celebrating Uzbek Craft and Adaptive Design

The "When Apricots Blossom" exhibition, a highlight of Milan Design Week 2026, intricately weaves Uzbekistan's rich crafting heritage into a compelling architectural narrative. Housed within Palazzo Citterio, the installation is a testament to the country's enduring artistic traditions, particularly those from the Aral Sea region, where craft has historically been a means of survival and adaptation in the face of environmental shifts. Kulapat Yantrasast's curatorial vision, supported by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, positions craft not merely as decorative art but as a fundamental framework shaping both material culture and the built environment. The exhibition offers a unique perspective on how traditional making processes inform contemporary design, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural resilience.

A striking yurt-inspired pavilion, conceived by wHY Architecture, serves as the centerpiece of this cultural showcase. Its delicate lattice structure and translucent skin elegantly filter natural light during the day, creating an ethereal ambiance, and radiate a warm glow at night. This central hub is designed to be a dynamic space, hosting a series of workshops and discussions throughout Milan Design Week, thereby encouraging interactive engagement with Uzbek craft. Beyond the pavilion, the exhibition extends its narrative to the palazzo's facade, where flowing textile installations evoke the dynamic spirit of Uzbek traditions. These woven bands, descending from the upper windows, introduce vibrant colors and a sense of movement, subtly altering the building's scale and inviting visitors into a deeper exploration of Uzbek artistry.

Immersive Cultural Journey: From Courtyard to Core

As visitors transition from the urban streetscape into the Palazzo Citterio, the "When Apricots Blossom" exhibition meticulously crafts an immersive journey through Uzbek culture. The initial visual impact of the facade's textile adornments, acting as a soft extension of the interior, sets the stage for a thoughtful exploration of space and tradition. These external elements, inspired by yurt ornamentation, demonstrate a harmonious integration of traditional forms with the distinct architectural language of a Milanese palazzo, establishing a dialogue between different cultural contexts. This thoughtful approach to entry prepares guests for the rich sensory experiences awaiting them within the exhibition, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor, and bridging historical narratives with contemporary interpretations.

The journey continues into the tranquil courtyard, where the pace perceptibly shifts, inviting contemplation and social interaction. Here, low seating arrangements, drawing inspiration from traditional kurpacha mattresses, encourage an organic occupation of the space, promoting fluidity over fixed layouts. The tactile quality of velvet surfaces and layered textiles reinforces a connection between the human body and the ground, fostering a sense of intimacy and comfort. The offering of apricot sherbet further enriches this experience, infusing a sensory dimension that aligns with the exhibition's broader themes of food, shelter, and clothing as integral systems of cultural expression. Within the main gallery, a field of reed-like rods forms curved enclosures, guiding visitors through a continuous interior landscape where artifacts from the Aral School are presented on cylindrical plinths. This design encourages a deliberate, unhurried circulation, allowing the stories embedded within each object to unfold gradually and profoundly.

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