For West Coast residents who are unlikely to make it to Milan Design Week, a new installation in Los Angeles brings a significant dose of impeccably curated Italian creative heritage along with international contemporary design. Nilufar Gallery’s traveling SQUAT exhibition is on view at 830 North Highland Avenue in Hollywood through 20 May, and reflects past and current design movements as interpreted through founder Nina Yashar‘s singular vision. The project is a partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute, Los Angeles that follows versions in New York, London, Paris, Beirut and Milan.
“With SQUAT I have created a path allowing visitors to discover and experience different atmospheres: a true cultural journey with ever-changing, yet timeless, vintage and contemporary design pieces,” Yashar says.
The arrangement in the open 500-square meter interior with exposed wood bow and truss ceilings is composed of seven vignettes. Over 40 designers and 150 items are included, and select designers are the recipients of additional focus, such as architect Massimiliano Locatelli of Locatelli Partners in Milan, British designer Bethan Laura Wood and the prolific Michael Anastassiades. Derek Castiglioni brings a whimsical sense to outdoor living in his setup that occupies the front storefront spaces, and also showcases the Palmea and Flora cane-fronted, tropical vibe storage systems and pieces by Khaled El Mays.
Yashar explores the boundaries of other mediums in the L.A. edition of SQUAT, featuring a video installation by interdisciplinary artist and designer Audrey Large that’s part of her Implicit Surfaces series. The diverse contemporary limited edition pieces are artfully juxtaposed with works by icons like Ettore Sottsass, Carlo Scarpa, Mario Bellini and Hans-Agne Jakobsson in each environment.
Nilufar Gallery has also organized public events and talks to further explore the themes and histories in the installation. Massimiliano Locatelli will give a presentation on the evening of Tuesday 11 February, and curator and writer Marion Vignal will appear in conversation with Yashar on Wednesday 12 February from noon to 2 p.m.
