Taking the ‘Design Variations' festival to the digital stage – responding to the current global health, design and travel challenges – curators MoscaPartners have launched ‘Virtual Design Variations' with a project by celebrated Portuguese architects Aires Mateus.
The architects' digital installation, ‘The Rest Is Silence', is presented in the virtual environment of the main courtyard of Palazzo Litta, where the physical, site-specific piece would have been erected during Milan Design Week 2020 – before the highly anticipated event was forced to be cancelled.
The piece is a calming water feature, inspiring peace and contemplation. ‘As a direct reaction to the world around us today, so engulfed by images and noise, with ‘The Rest Is Silence' the designers propose a void to create a new perception of what already exists,' explain the curators.
The organisers, who have brought us striking works, such as last year's impressive, large scale structure by Chilean architecture studio Pezo von Ellrichshausen, are a spring staple in the generous, 17th century palazzo's courtyard. A design exhibition featuring a roaster of accomplished and young designers is also part of the festival.
The installation piece is accompanied by a series of video interviews, by Aires Mateus, as well as more designers participating in the ‘Design Variations' festival, while the whole event will move to Portugal from 16th June, focusing on Portuguese creatives and creating a platform for international dialogue and idea exchange.
Click here to watch Manuel Aires Mateus talking about The Rest is Silence on Instagram.
INFORMATION
-
Jaguar reveals its new graphic identity ahead of a long-awaited total brand rebootJaguar’s new ethos is Exuberant Modernism, encapsulated by a new visual language that draws on fine art, fashion and architecture
-
Olfactory Art Keller: the New York gallery exhibiting the smell of vintage perfume, blossoming lilacs and last night’s shameOlfactory Art Keller is a Manhattan-based gallery space dedicated to exhibiting scent as art. Founder Dr Andreas Keller speaks with Lara Johnson-Wheeler about the project, which doesn’t shy away from the ‘unpleasant’
-
Explore a barn conversion with a difference on the Isle of WightGianni Botsford Architects' barn conversion transforms two old farm buildings into an atmospheric residence and artistic retreat, The Old Byre
-
V&A's Tropical Modernism: a vivid look at architecture culture in newly independent GhanaSubtitled ‘Architecture and Power in West Africa’, V&A's 'Tropical Modernism' is a richly historical show at the 2023 Venice Biennale, perfectly aligned with the overarching theme of inclusion and exploration of modernism’s overlooked cultural impact
-
Venice Architecture Biennale 2023: the ultimate guideAs the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 opens, we explore the offerings at the world’s famous celebration of building design
-
Lesley Lokko announced as curator of 2023 Venice Architecture BiennaleAcademic, educator and novelist Lesley Lokko will be the director of the architecture sector for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition
-
What to see around Venice during the Architecture BiennaleThe curated show by Hashim Sarkis and the National Pavilions at the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale are complemented by more events across town. Here, we pick three installations, which celebrate community and sustainability
-
Tour the 2021 National Pavilions at Venice Architecture BiennaleStuck at home? We got you. Our virtual tour of the 2021 National Pavilions at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale will help transport you to the avant-garde of contemporary architecture from across the globe
-
Venice Architecture Biennale 2021: a year late but somehow right on timeHashim Sarkis' main show ‘How Will We Live Together?' at the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale opens a year later than originally expected, but ponders on questions that are more timely than ever
-
Stefano Boeri will curate Salone del Mobile 2021Italian architect Stefano Boeri has been announced as the curator of the 2021 edition of Salone del Mobile (September 5-10 2021)
-
A walking tour of Venice through art and designAhead of the Venice Architecture Biennale (which starts on 22 May 2021), discover Venice by walking through its best art and design locations, with a specially-curated tour led by local creative entrepreneurs
