Milan Design Week 2023

Alcova, an itinerant platform for independent design, has been pushing the boundaries of design and research since its founding in 2018. Valentina Ciuffi, founder of Studio Vedèt, and Joseph Grima, founder of Space Caviar, have been curating the exhibition, continuing their commitment to transforming historical and significant spaces into a stage of unrivalled beauty for a selection of designers and material research.

In its fifth edition, Alcova explored Milan in a new location - the former Porta Vittoria abattoir on Via Molise. Despite the area's disuse, the former municipal slaughterhouse, which once occupied an extensive ruined infrastructure of about 15 hectares and was built between 1912 and 1914 by Giannino Ferrini and Giovanni Filippini, now lies abandoned and decaying. Its poorly preserved buildings and ruins created a striking contrast to the design pieces on display.

With over 90 projects showcased, the exhibition explored various directions in contemporary design practice, from research into circular materials to contemporary craft and sensory design. Exhibits placed a high value on work beyond aesthetics, prompting critical questions about production processes, material extractions, and the role of designers and institutions in responding to environmental and social challenges. The exhibition included a range of works, including design pieces, art installations, and material research that aimed to promote circular design, explore the intersection of traditional craft with new technologies.

The 2023 exhibition and its participants represent a transitional period for the design industry, where the focus is on finding practical approaches with a lower environmental, social impact and valuing traditional and manual techniques. Despite the conceptual or research-based nature of many of the ideas presented, designers embraced experimental processes, exploring uncharted territories and pushing boundaries to find new solutions to today's challenges, with a willingness to embrace uncertainty and explore new materials and techniques. Alcova provided these designers a platform to showcase their work and engage with transformative interventions through design, research, and materials' technical, social, and discursive possibilities.

Plural selected some projects that focused on the cultural significance and historical context of materials, contributing to a deeper understanding of today's complex reality and the transformative potential of design.

Stone Archive

Mexican studio and lighting brand davidpompa presented their Stone Archive installation. The exhibit explored the volcanic materiality of their new collection, which combines ancient stones with aluminium to create a series of light sculptures called 'Ambra Toba.' The installation highlighted the Mexican 'Toba volcánica' stone, which consists of minerals, glass, and volcanic debris ejected over one million years ago during severe eruptions. The fragments on the geometrical surfaces were a testament to these explosions and movements, emphasizing the studio's contemporary approach to traditional materials and crafts.

The exhibition showcased the studio's research-based process and investigation, featuring tall archival shelves filled with stones, folders, and prototypes.

The Stone Archive concept aimed to amplify our understanding of ancient stones, capturing and connecting science, aesthetics, culture, and materiality. The archive allowed visitors to pause and tangibly visualize time, communicating the ancient science of explosions, debris, ashes, and dust over millions of years through surface texture.

In partnership with the geological department of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the studio investigated the origins of Toba volcánica, providing a deeper insight into a stone widely used in Mexican culture. Stone Archive's scientific investigation was driven by the studio's strong desire to research materials and share public knowledge.

During the exhibition, Dutch microphotographer Wim van Egmond documented the stones in a series of artistic videos and panoramic photos, providing a unique perspective and elevating the investigation to a new level. His work further balanced the scientific and design aspects of the project.

Brick Textiles

Copenhagen-based Natural Material Studio has collaborated with Polish designer Zuzanna Skurka to create a new bio-textile made from surplus bricks. Previously considered waste material after demolition projects, the bricks were repurposed as a textile by being crushed and bonded with Procel, a home-compostable, protein-based bioplastic developed by Natural Material Studio. This bioplastic acts as a natural softener and pigment, while the bricks provide a unique swirly pattern, texture, and strength in the final product.

Traditionally, bricks are known for their solidity, durability, and functionality as a building material. Made from natural materials like soil and clay, bricks have been used in architecture for over 9000 years. However, using their innovative Procel bio-material crafting technique, Natural Material Studio has created Brick Textiles that showcase the potential for bricks to represent softness, flexibility, and even transparency.

Through their material and installation, Natural Material Studio and Zuzanna Skurka aim to explore how waste bricks can be used in new and innovative ways, both technically and conceptually. Their goal is to lead the way in creating a circular and fluid architecture by exploring waste materials and allowing new forms of beauty and functionality to emerge.

Bioregional Design Practices

Atelier Luma, a research platform based in Arles, France, presented a remarkable showcase at the Alcova installation, demonstrating how agricultural byproducts such as salt, algae, and rice straws can be transformed into sustainable and innovative materials. The French team at Atelier Luma and their collaborators immerse themselves in local territories to understand cultural and environmental ecosystems and identify underused or undervalued resources. Their broad definition of resources encompasses agricultural byproducts and artisanal skills.

One example of their research is their work with salt as a raw material. Atelier Luma works to build strong ties with salt marsh workers, whose expertise is a key pillar of the crystallized salt experiments. Their knowledge about the joint impact of the sea and meteorological conditions on the crystallization process guides the research, providing designers with a solid foundation for dialogue with industry and laboratory partners. The project prioritizes thinking about the ecological impact of salt production and sharing their processes and knowledge to reduce transportation emissions, support local economies, and, most importantly, respect natural cycles and available resources.

PEEL Chair

Prowl Studio, a California-based design studio, in collaboration with M4 Factory, unveil their sustainable PEEL Chair at the Expect Death exhibition. They created an injection-moulded chair made of compostable hemp and paper pulp, both byproducts of industrial cannabis processing. 

The installation explores the lifecycle of the biodegradable and compostable chair made primarily from hemp. The material aims to be a responsible alternative to ubiquitous plastic stacking chairs. It is inspired by the impact of fast furniture on the design industry, where over 12 million tons of furniture are discarded in the US each year. The PEEL Chair represents the designers' efforts to combat fast furniture by designing products with healthier materials and accessible end-of-life plans.

Touch Wood

Wood has been used in products and designs for thousands of years and continues to be a popular material, especially among those seeking alternatives to harmful plastics. However, responsibly sourcing wood is crucial for its sustainability, even though it is biodegradable and recyclable. The unique grains, textures, and properties of wood make it a special material, but it also comes with its own set of problems, such as waste material left unused and discarded.

With this in mind, Yuma Kano, based in Japan and Sho Ota, based in Netherlands, is presenting their exhibition, ‘Touch Wood’, where they explore the potential of wood. At this exhibition, Yuma Kano and Sho Ota present their new works in which their respective expressive methods are mixed together, creating a dialogue between the two designers.

In conclusion, the Alcova 2023 exhibition showcased various inspiring design and art projects that tackled numerous challenges, emphasizing the potential of traditional and innovative materials and techniques. Moreover, Plural's selection of projects that focused on cultural visions and material exploration deepened our understanding of the transformative power of design. Plural has shared additional content on its Instagram page for those interested in viewing more inspiring projects.

Info

Alcova

https://alcova.xyz/

@alcova.milano

Curation: Valentina Ciuffi (Studio Vedèt) and Joseph Grima (Space Caviar)

Photography: Agnese Bedini, Piercarlo Quecchia, DSL Studio, Nina Zulian

Words

Nina Zulian