EXODUS installation by Luca Nichetto and JoAnn Tan – All photos by Max Rommel.
Design. Multidisciplinary designers JoAnn Tan and Luca Nichetto used sustainable flooring by climate-neutral Swedish woven design company Bolon to give life to fantastic animals for the Exodus installation during Milan Design Week. Like the materials’ pioneering transformation bridging past and future, the creatures appear in the process of evolution.
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The scenography is crafted in conversation with the striking rooms and orangery of the venue. The historic house, now home to the new JoAnn Tan Atelier, has also been used as a small textile factory over the past century. The installation extends into the courtyard, seamlessly connecting with its central pond.
On one side, dark green flooring evokes lush vegetation reminiscent of a primordial forest. On the other side, pastel-coloured birds, insects, and other creatures appear to take flight, march, and crawl. In the courtyard, a winding green hybrid beast traversing the rooms emerges from a fountain to blossom into a vibrant flower.
Italian designer Luca Nichetto is based in Stockholm, while Malesian designer JoAnn Tan is based in Milan. “While we share friendships, collaborations and inspirations, our journeys have been close and parallel for many years.” Luca Nichetto told Archipanic. “JoAnn constructs fleeting realms where design transforms into narrative, and materials spring to life. I craft objects and spaces where the past and future intertwine, and details embody the project’s spirit. With Exodus, our professional experiences converge.”
“Through this installation, I got to know Luca better, a dreamer and a very determined creative.” JoAnn Tann told Archipanic. “We had fun! Each of us has been able to express his own approach to design, also thanks to Bolon’s full trust in our way of working.”
“With JoAnn’s fearless creativity and Luca’s refined artistry, the installation combines bold innovation and craftsmanship to explore new possibilities for Bolon’s material, transforming it into something unexpected and extraordinary. It is not just about flooring but storytelling, exploration, and creating a truly memorable experience.” Explain Marie Eklund, Bolon Owner and CEO, and Annica Eklund, Owner and Senior Creative Director.
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The idea for the installation originated during a dinner at JoAnn’s. “We aimed to surpass a two-dimensional approach,” Nichetto explains. “Luca envisioned a magic carpet soaring away from the ground, while I pictured a turtle with a shell crafted from Bolon’s tiles residing in my garden. Exodus emerges from these early inspirations blended together.”
Bolon’s presentation in Milan embodies natural influences and highlights the brand’s genuine, long-term commitment to climate-neutral products and production. Each of Bolon’s products is made from 68% waste material, with zero climate impact for every square meter.
All photos are by Bolon.
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