Desacralized by Galerie Philia – All photos credit Maison Mouton Noir, courtesy of Galerie Philia.
Design – Galerie Philia has challenged twenty established international designers, such as Rick Owen, Faina, and Studiopepe, to explore the dichotomy/dialogue of heavenly and secular values for the Desacralized exhibition within the former church San Vittore e 40 Martiri in Milan.
- RELATED STORIES: Read more about Milan Design Week 2023 on Archipanic.
Andrés Monnier’s sculpture.
Each designer was invited to give their personal interpretation of the notion of desacralization and take inspiration from objects which formerly had religious associations and have now become solely functional, serving our everyday life.
Arno Declercq’s dinner table.
“Objects bear witness to the past – they carry memories, and their function is defined by the era in which they were created. Sacred objects have all these qualities, but they also transcend their physicality to achieve a spiritual and symbolic value.” Explains Ygael Attali, Director of Galerie Philia and curator of the exhibition.
Morghen Studio’s Cascade of Light.
The only imperative the group collectively agreed on was that the works created should be entirely white. Italian design duo Morghen Studio presents Cascades of Light, a luminous sculptural installation transcending and subliming the iconic significance of historic chandeliers. Rick Owens unveils a new minimal chair with moose antlers inspired by the designer’s Tomb chair.
Rick Owen’s seat.
Studiopepe has created an architectural marble side table reinterpreting ancient Italian baptisteries whose octagonal shape refers to the number 8, the symbol of rebirth in many religions and myths. Andrés Monnier designed one of his eye-catching architectural firepits made of rock.
Table by Studiopepe and sculpture by Andrés Monnier.
Australia-based Henry Wilson created a lamp inspired by Japanese pagodas and temples. At the same time, French designer Elsa Foulon presents sea shell-shaped lighting designs – The sea shell is a recurrent motif in Christian iconography. Ukrainian design studio Faina presents an organic-shaped stool made from its signature Zista material.
Lamp by Studio Henry Wilson.
Pietro Franceschini shows a curvature coffee table, playing with the concept of materiality and transformation. Kar Studio presents a chair inspired by China’s oldest script from the Shang Dynasty.
Lighting design by Elsa Foulon.
Arno Declercq designed an oversized white marble dining table. Pierre de Valck showcases a fountain – a construction that historically symbolises change and life.
- RELATED STORIES: Discover more ‘holy’ architecture and design on Archipanic.
Stool by Faina.
All photos: courtesy of Galerie Philia.
Chair by Kar Studio.
Desacralized by Galerie Philia – Photo credit Maison Mouton Noir, courtesy of Galerie Philia.
