The new “Humanism” of DesignMiami/

DesignMiami/ is back in the spotlight with an intense program of exhibitions, installations, talks and special events, which from 1 to 5 December 2021 transform the city into an eclectic theater. New developments include the official app, with which to become a collector with a single click

Art and design transform Miami into a creative destination, amidst events and installations at South Beach, street art at Wynwood, and the refinement of the Design District. There are interesting openings, like the exhibition Dior Medallion Chair on view at Superblue – an immersive space in which to observe Yinka Ilori and the work “If You Can Dream Then Anything is Possible” – the tribute of Louis Vuitton to the genius of Virgil Abloh, as the impressive Art Basel and DesignMiami/ kick off this long-awaited week.
With an eye on sustainability, the Wolfsonian-FIU presents the exhibition “SustainabItaly – People, Planet, Prosperity” – curated by Luisa Bocchietto and organized by the Consulate General of Italy – featuring objects and accessories Made in Italy with an ecological orientation.

Dior Medallion Chair
Dior Medallion Chair

A red thread runs through the art-design event, now at its 17th iteration: under the sign of Human Kind, Design Miami/ has opened to a kind of “contemporary humanism” explored by the new curator Wava Carpenter as an approach to design as a challenge for the future: “The practice of design, at its heart, has always aimed to create a better future, but in recent years, as the global challenges that humanity faces have approached existential proportions, the future that designers envision increasingly demands a fundamental reorientation of what it means to be human in this world, calling on all of us to become better stewards of nature and of each other.”  This is an urgent theme for reflection: the protagonists are visions of a more equitable and interconnected world, staged by those who work in terms of “design thinking.”

Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Design Miami/, remarks: The 17th edition of Design Miami/ brings a myriad of reasons for celebration –  from returning to our home in Pride Park to our Human Kind theme, which will look at how design can play a role in shaping the world for the better. As we continue to see the collectible design market grow, in both physical and digital spaces, we’re pleased to also welcome many new members to the Design Miami/ family – galleries, curios and partners – all of which are bringing thoughtful contributions to the fair.”

An event in which 35 galleries of international renown narrate design culture, in a finely tuned dialogue between history and the contemporary, amidst iconic pieces by Verner Panton, Charlotte Perriand, George Nakashima, Harry Bertoia, and the new visions of Studio Job, Daniel Arsham, Haas Brothers, just to name a few.

R&Company & StudioJob
R&Company & StudioJob
Salon94 & Gloria Kisch
Salon94 & Gloria Kisch

The 20th century takes the stage at Moderne Gallery with the Karuizawa seating designed by Nakashima in 1935. While Friedman Benda unveils works by the artist and creative director Samuel Ross, celebrating its partnership with the outstanding British designer at a stand transformed in terms of industrial ambience, R&Company displays work by emerging talents whose conceptual approach is shaping the future. Designers like Serban Ionescu, Joyce Lin, Sayar & Garibeh, Norman Teague are joined by a masterpiece from 1962 by Wendell Castle, the Impact series by Studio Job and new works by Rogan Gregory.
At Wexler Gallery, the multidisciplinary studio FEYZ presents Sunset Drive, a lighting piece inspired by the history and culture of Istanbul, home town of the founder Feyza Kemahlioglu, while at Salon 94 Design impressive floral sculptures are shown, by an artist who passed away in 2014, Gloria Kisch.
In an atmosphere paced by unique and rare creations, the galleries on hand for DesignMiami/ arrive from all over the world: AGO Projects from Mexico City; Ateliers Courbet, Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery, Todd Merrill Studio from New York; CONVERSO and Volume Gallery from Chicago; John Keith Russell from South Salem, SIDE Gallery from Barcelona, The Future Perfect from San Francisco…

Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon

Authentic oases of collectibles, created by 19 exhibitors, are on view in Curio: from Tom Dixon with the new Mass line of custom furnishings to the limited edition chair Hydro at House of Today with the exhibition “New Nature” by Khaled El-Mays, volumes that intertwine before being transformed into solid shapes. With a collaboration between the designers Amrish Patel, Darshan Soni, Gordana Zgonjanin, Apical Reform & ZEEL Studio debuts with Emotional Rocks, to capture the essence of time through emotional kinetic “benches,” while Twenty First Gallery presents Flora Contemporaria by Marcin Ruask, a reinterpretation of the iconic works of Josef Frank.

New Nature @ DesignMiami/ Curio 2021
New Nature @ DesignMiami/ Curio 2021

Among the partners of the fair, outstanding names include Fendi with the collection made in collaboration with Peter Mabeo and produced in Botswana; Lexus with ON/ by Germane Barnes, inspired by the LF-Z Electrified; KOHLER with Stone Flow by Daniel Arsham, which emphasizes the synthesis between crafts and innovation, with 99 3D printed sinks; The Journey of Birch of BCXSY by Grand Seiko, an installation that pays homage to the brand’s bond with la nature; Panerai with a stand made with natural and recycled materials; USM Modular Furniture and the design competition “HUE+MAN: Culture Sculpture” in collaboration with Kevin Jones of Joba Studio; SCAD and its choral celebration of contemporary art and design innovation; Maison Perrier-Jouët and its Embodied Nature, an art installation created by mischer’traxler studio.

Emotional Rocks by Apical Reform Studio & Zeel Studio @ Design Miami/ Curio 2021. Ph © Courtesy of Apical Reform Studio
Emotional Rocks by Apical Reform Studio & Zeel Studio @ Design Miami/ Curio 2021. Ph © Courtesy of Apical Reform Studio

Finally, Miami Design District features the installation Tomorrow Land by Studio Proba x Enjoy The Weather – winners of the 2021 Annual Commission: chromatic totems that transform the space into an interactive playground to “animate” with a special app. In a single bond between real and virtual, it is possible to watch the Design Talks in streaming, while the new app Design Miami/Mobile offers an unexpected way to experience the event, with 3D virtual tours and a click-to-buy function…
This innovation takes DesignMiami/ into a new era, making it the first fair to accept cryptocurrency with Coinbase. A collectible experience with an avant-garde flavor.

The Bedroom by Harry Nuriev. Ph. © Courtesy of Crosby Studios
The Bedroom by Harry Nuriev. Ph. © Courtesy of Crosby Studios

DesignMiami/
1-5 December 2021
Pride Park – Miami Beach Convention Center
1901 Convention Center Dr
Miami Beach
www.shop.designmiami.com
www.miamidesigndistrict.net