At this year’s Salone del Mobile, that most sacred of design gatherings, we called the Wallpaper* flock to the Mediateca Santa Teresa, a deconsecrated church on Via della Moscova. And there did true believers, as well as the odd agnostic, enjoy intimate communion with spirit-lifting design and craft at its most transcendent.
This issue bears witness to the divine efforts of our various dynamic design duos and hastily assembled bands of brothers and sisters. From genesis to revelation, we pull back the veil on projects from the Bouroullecs, Tom Dixon, Kostas Murkudis, Sabine Marcelis, Conrad Shawcross, Matteo Thun, Doshi Levien and a multitude more. Here are fonts and sarcophagi, tools for meditation and mindfulness, settings for blessed beginnings and suitable send-offs, devotional fixtures and fittings, and simple, elegantly austere sanctuaries for the modern soul.
‘The Portal’, by Snøhetta, Erik Jørgensen Møbelfabrik and Everything Elevated, for Wallpaper* Handmade
In all, and rare, seriousness, we hope the spirit of this year’s Handmade exhibition, and this issue, is one of calm reflection and communion, entirely inclusive and strictly non-denominational. Salone and Handmade are truly global events, celebrations of cross-border collaboration and friendships forged in the creative act. They recognise that we can still at least hope to make the world, in small ways perhaps, a more civilised and lovely place to be.
Onwards and upwards!
Tony Chambers, Editor-in-Chief
As originally featured in the August 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*221)
'Holy Handmade!' Signet-Ring Seal, by Rebus. Photography: Paul Zak
Ten Commandments of Science, by Yves Béhar, scribed by Paul Antonio Scribe. Photography: Máté Moro
From left to right, Niels Jørgensen of Erik Jørgensen Møbelfabrik, Stian Alessaandro Ekkernes Rossi of Snøhetta, and Marius Myking and Martin Nichols of Everything Elevated with ‘The Portal’ outside Erik Jørgensen’s HA in Pakhus 48. Photography: Jan Søndergaard
Paper Factor founder Riccardo Cavaciocchini in his Lecce workshop, holding the Tom Dixon-designed sustainable sarcophagus. Photography: Bea De Giacomo
Sabine Marcelis and Made a Mano create a volcanic altar as a celebratory centerpiece. Photography: Danilo Scarpati
Blocks of lava stone outside the Made a Mano workshop in Naples, during the making of the volcanic altar. Photography: Danilo Scarpati
Fashion designer Craig Green with his black and multicoloured ceremonial rugs. Photography: Roger Dekker
At Lesage Intérieurs’ workshops in Chennai, Kvadrat’s ‘Time 300’ fabric was stretched on a giant wooden loom held in place with straps. Photography: Mark Hartman
The ‘Immaculate Care’ case, by Matteo Thun & Partners and Ermenegildo Zegna. Photography: Máté Moro
The ‘Treasure Box’ by RDAI and Lanserring is perfect for holding small valuable items. Photography: William Bunce
The ‘Dig Deep’ offertory bag by Jamie Fobert Architects and Studioart envelops the arm, becoming a seamless extension of the body. Photography: Máté Moro
Sebastian Herkner, Lobmeyr and FOA create five glass vessels which are engraved with botanical drawings. Photography: Phillippe Fragnière
Tom Dixon and Paper factor's 'Sustainable sarcophagus' combines the afterlife aesthetic of Ancient Egypt and innovative paper-based materials. Photography: Leandro Farina
Bloc Studios and Haeckel's series of geometric marble diffusers hold calming fragranced oils. Photography: Leandro Farina
INFORMATION
The August 2017 issue of Wallpaper* is out now. Subscribe here
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RIBA’s ‘Raise the Roof’ show is a deep dive into the history of its London HQWith its ‘Raise the Roof: Building for Change’ exhibition, the RIBA explores themes including gender, ethnicity, race, and imperialism embedded within its own historic headquarters
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These gravity-defying Santoni heels are a sculptural wonderA closer look at Santoni’s Victoria pumps, which are defined by the architectural rigour of their gently slanted heels – an ode to the heritage footwear brand’s roots in Le Marche, Italy
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Le Labo’s Kyoto flagship blends wabi-sabi with the art of slow perfumeryLe Labo has a new flagship in Kyoto’s Shimokorikicho, Nakagyo-ku neighbourhood, a celebration of Japanese heritage and craftsmanship
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Casa Mutina displays Ronan Bouroullec's creative universeRonan Bouroullec's designs for Mutina at Milan Design Week 2024 include outdoor tiles as well as ceramic editions
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Ronan Bouroullec exhibition at Centre Pompidou features ceramics and amorphous ink drawingsCentre Pompidou hosts Ronan Bouroullec's decorative designs, reflecting the designer's ongoing explorations of form and function (until 23 September 2024)
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Deep’s Exopack by Sabine Marcelis helps scientists study insects without harming themExopack is a biodiversity project developed with designer Sabine Marcelis, supporting the research of undiscovered and critically endangered insects in the Amazon
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Vaarnii launches the ‘Maasto’ chair by Ronan BouroullecThe new Ronan Bouroullec chair for Vaarnii launches during Stockholm Design Week 2024, marking the Finnish company’s first experiments in pine plywood
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2024 horoscope: design for every star signFor the Wallpaper* 2024 horoscope, we asked Italian astrologist Lumpa what the year has in store, and what design objects each star sign will love
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Ronan Bouroullec’s new lamps with Manufacture de Sèvres resemble otherworldly creaturesManufacture de Sèvres presents Ronan Bouroullec’s ‘Lampes Sèvres’, an exhibition of new lighting works (until 25 November 2023)
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Sabine Marcelis’ lava lamp elevates the classic design’s magicSabine Marcelis has worked with Mathmos on a special edition lava lamp to mark the design’s 60th anniversary
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Ronan Bouroullec book merges art, design and everyday life‘Ronan Bouroullec: Day After Day’, from Phaidon, is a visual inventory of the French designer’s work, artistic output and daily inspiration
