Reflections on the Collector’s Design Pieces

The invitation by Giustini / Stagetti Galleria O. from Rome to design their exhibition display for Design Miami / Basel 2017 was an exceptional challenge for Dekleva Gregorič architects to reconsider the conventional approach of showcasing selected modern and contemporary collector’s design objects. The project pursues the concept of fluid contemporary living through a circular system of space organization in order to highlight the specific context of each unique design piece.

Following the mission and given selection of design pieces of the gallery, the project builds on bringing together the historically-recognized objects and the contemporary production of exclusively commissioned design pieces establishing multiple levels of reading of the juxtaposed set-up.

The two main design assets from two distinctive design periods, Sottsass’ monument-like tower-furniture “La casa con la Bambina Cinese” from 1962 and Grcic’s recently designed concrete table with lamp “Magliana”, are forming the foreground of the presentation, each one exhibited within it’s own space-defining circle: the black mesh curtain for Grcic and black carpet for Sottsass.

Sottsass, with its powerful presence, opens-up itself to the passing-by public as an invitation to enter the exhibition. The four seats of casa Galli by Carlo De Carli, orbiting around and looking outwards, emphasize the total circumference of the object. Meanwhile the concrete Magliana project of Grcic, wrapped in the circular curtain designed by Dekleva-Gregoric, being simultaneously enclosed and exposed, doubles as the temporary conference room for Roberto Giustini and Stefano Stagetti with collectors.

In the background, facing the long white wall, the series of rhythmic progression of luminaries speak the narrative of casting light and shadow. Beginning with the two luminaries by Formafantasma casting their colorful light spectrum to the wall, the series of rhythmic progression continues with a set of luminaries (by Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Franco Buzzi, Ettore Sottsass and Sarfatti Vigano) which projecting their own shadows while casting alternative existence to the white wall.

Giustini / Stagetti Galleria O. Roma, Italy

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