Design Miami/Basel 2022 explores the Golden Age
Design Miami/Basel 2022, led by curatorial director Maria Cristina Didero, offers a positive spin after the unprecedented times of the pandemic, and looks at the history and spirit of design
Returning to its usual June slot, Design Miami/Basel presents some of the best contemporary and historical design through a new edition led by Wallpaper* Milan editor Maria Cristina Didero, serving as curatorial director. With over 20 new international galleries presenting across the Gallery, Curio and Podium showcases, the 2022 edition reaffirms the fair’s global approach.
‘We are delighted to return to Basel this year with a particularly exciting line-up of galleries, curios, special projects and partners,’ says Design Miami’s VP of fairs, Grela Orihuela. ‘Through the breadth and depth of their presentations, we look forward to prompting timely discussion around this year’s theme, The Golden Age.’
Commenting on her choice for the fair's theme, Didero adds: ‘Even during the hardest of struggles, as a society we should always focus and strive to be better. We must remember that challenges have always driven humanity forward. Human beings have come up with answers to the world’s most pressing questions, often during moments in which the very roots of our life are being tested by external forces, over which it seems we have no control.'
Design Miami/Basel 2022: highlights
Design Miami/Basel 2022 theme: The Golden Age
Exploring the theme of The Golden Age, Design Miami/Basel 2022 sets the tone for the fair’s other editions this year, in Paris and Miami, looking at the concept across different cultures through time and space, from utopian future to idealised history. In Basel, the theme focuses on the past, with historical objects celebrating 20th-century icons.
For the first time, the fair’s Podium (a curated selling exhibition) comes to the Basel fair, with a special display inspired by the theme. ‘The exhibition offers the opportunity to explore a large range of presentations of amazing pieces from different contexts, times and geographies,’ says Didero. ‘Podium becomes a platform to reflect on how these pieces can ignite discussions around today’s design scene.’
‘The Golden Age is not the age we are living now, but it’s an idyllic future, a possible place where animals, plants, human beings can live in harmony,’ says Didero. ‘We wanted a positive spin after the unprecedented times of the pandemic: we have put together a selection of pieces that represent the beauty and spirit of design, and give justice to its history.’
The exhibition includes historical pieces such as Vladimir Kagan’s ‘Capricorn’ chair, the ‘Eros’ marble table by Angelo Mangiarotti, the ‘Water Lilies Bowl’ by Pierre Paulin and Carlo Mollino’s ‘Stackable’ beds, from Casa del Sole. Among the contemporary pieces are a trio of vessels by Diego Cibelli, created during the pandemic using found objects, a lamp by Misha Kahn, and a lighting piece by Faye Toogood. ‘The selection of pieces is much about the emotions they can tell, they are not related to one another, but they are here because each of them is very important and outspoken,’ continues Didero. ‘I see a lot of emotion involved and sensibility within these objects.’
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Installations at Design Miami/Basel: Special Satellite Projects
For their second time in Basel, Superblue presents a takeover of the 2,500 sq ft ground floor space with Pulse Topology, an interactive installation by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Comprising 6,000 light bulbs suspended at different heights, creating a series of ‘intimate landscapes’ that invite visitors to walk through. Pulse sensors record visitor heartbeats; every time a new participant interacts with the artwork, their pulse is added to the light’s rhythm above.
Also part of the Satellite Projects is a display of works by Joseph Walsh Studio, featuring furniture whose fluid forms are inspired by nature, and a further display of Diego Cibelli's porcelain works, titled ‘Meditation in an Emergency’ and presented by Galleria Antonella Villanova.
Design Miami/Basel Curio Displays
As always an integral part of the fair, the Curio programme features 17 presentations pushing the boundaries of design, interpreting traditional ideas in innovative ways. For Design Miami/Basel 2022, the Curios include work by Ukrainian designer Victoria Yakusha's Faina Gallery, presenting a display ‘centered around the primal connection of every Ukrainian to their earth.’
Also on display within the Curio section are pieces by Philippe Starck from the 1980s and 1990s, presented by Paul Bourdet Fine Furniture and featuring pieces originally designed for 3 Suisses and Driade; and Dutch designer Kiki Van Eijk's ‘Altar of Imagination’, brought to the fair by Rademakers Gallery, bringing to the fair a sample of the Dutch designer's mix of whimsical creativity and skilled craftsmanship.
Elsewhere in the Curio section, WKND Lab showcases traditional Korean crafts with a contemporary spin, highlighting the avant-garde nature of Korean artisanal techniques. The displays feature Jagar, a traditional Korean lacquer technique using a biodegradable wood resin, applied to objects whose contemporary aesthetics are intended to introduce the historical method to younger generations
Responding to the fair's theme, the displays throughout the Messe Basel showcase a richness of ideas, both past and future. ‘[We explore how] the perseverance, flexibility, resilience and adaptability of humanity has led us to innovation and hope,’ concludes Didero. ‘We must continue this now more than ever.’
INFORMATION
designmiami.com
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Three sleek new design showrooms you need to see in Los Angeles
Three international design showrooms have started a retail design boom in Los Angeles. Here are the stores to put on your radar
By Carole Dixon Published
-
Brutalism in film: the beautiful house that forms the backdrop to The Room Next Door
The Room Next Door's production designer discusses mood-boarding and scene-setting for a moving film about friendship, fragility and the final curtain
By Anne Soward Published
-
How Leigh Bowery and the Blitz Kids defined 1980s subculture with make-up
As Leigh Bowery and the Blitz Kids of 1980s London are celebrated in a new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum, Isobel Van Dyke explores the hair and make-up looks that defined them
By Isobel Van Dyke Published
-
Design Miami 2022: highlights from the fair and around town
Design Miami 2022 (30 November – 4 December) aims at ‘rebooting the roots of our relationship with nature and collective structures, ecospheres, and urban contexts’
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York
‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Italian craftsmanship comes to Los Angeles in this eclectic Venice Canals apartment
Boffi Los Angeles celebrates a juxtaposition of texture throughout a waterside bolthole
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Kvadrat’s flagship New York showrooms encompass colourful design codes
Industrial designer Jonathan Olivares and architect Vincent Van Duysen have worked with Danish textile brand Kvadrat on the vast new space, also featuring furniture by Moroso
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
What to see at New York Design Week 2022
Discover Wallpaper’s highlights from New York Design Week 2022 (10 – 20 May 2022): the fairs, exhibitions and design openings to discover
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Colour defines LA ceramics studio and showroom of Bari Ziperstein
Step inside the multifunctional ceramics studio, office and showroom of designer and artist Bari Ziperstein, designed by local firm Foss Hildreth
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Design for Ukraine: Bocci and Design Miami join forces to raise funds
The online sale of iconic Bocci pieces will benefit GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, providing urgently needed humanitarian aid
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Designer Marcin Rusak rallies international creatives to raise funds for Ukraine
Raising funds for Poland’s Fundacja Ocalenie, Warsaw-based designer Marcin Rusak is making the most of Instagram’s immediacy, auctioning original pieces donated by international designers
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated