Casa Mutina displays Ronan Bouroullec's creative universe
Ronan Bouroullec's designs for Mutina at Milan Design Week 2024 include outdoor tiles as well as ceramic editions
At Milan Design Week 2024, Mutina unveiled at Casa Mutina Milano and Spazio Cernaia a series of new collections entirely designed by Ronan Bouroullec, which are still on display (by appointment only) at Casa Mutina Milano.
‘This year, more than individual collections, we presented an entire universe. The Osso & Bottone represents Mutina's first collection specifically designed for outdoor environments,’ says Mutina CEO Massimo Orsini. ‘By tackling this challenge, we wanted to take a further step, extending our research beyond the classic boundaries of indoor spaces, proposing organic shapes in pastel colours in dialogue with nature. The true subject is the conjunction between the elements, the absent parts rather than the present ones, to make outdoor spaces more contemporary.’
Mutina tiles by Ronan Bouroullec
Designed for dual use, Osso & Bottone are modules of rectangular tiles with perimeter cuts that create ample voids and reveal patterns through the joints: in particular, in this case at least 4 mm of joint is suggested, in order to keep the right distance especially for Bottone, so that you can to recreate the perfect circles, similar to buttons. It can be filled with grout in the same or contrasting colour to create a variety of effects. Also, because of the strong aesthetic, the tile edges are visible for the first time.
Adagio, a series of ceramic modules that can be assembled to create scenic wall sculptures, has also just been unveiled: a reticular structure resembling a fabric weave, with overlapping elements emphasising the product's three-dimensionality. ‘Adagio is an authentic wall sculpture, which I think (and hope) will revolutionise the perception of ceramics in the coming years,’ says Orsini. ‘And then many new Editions, such as vases and candleholders handmade by master craftsmen and produced in limited editions.’
Mutina showcases Ronan Bouroullec's Editions
The way Mutina understands that somewhat mysterious aspect of ceramic, a material that has a unique and ever-changing beauty, it’s clear with Editions. As a collection of ceramic objects linked to the world of designer interiors, they are entirely handmade, with each piece sequentially signed and stamped. The series includes vases and a candelabrum that can be modulated in different combinations: they are all made by casting and assembling individual pieces, and the glaze is from an ancient formulation.
Ronan Bouroullec on his collaboration with Mutina
Some of the collections and objects were presented in advance during the Résonance exhibition curated by Marie-Ange Brayer at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and Adagio, along with some products designed by Ronan with his brother Erwan for Mutina, has also become part of the permanent collection of the French museum: ‘I met Massimo 15 years ago, the owner of Mutina, he showed up at the workshop in a sweat with very heavy samples of tiles,’ Bouroullec wrote on his social media accounts. ‘He wanted so much to convince me to collaborate, he was very moved.'
'Everything went wrong, he spilled his coffee on my drawings, he talked too much and he left even more nervous than when he arrived. He didn’t know it but I was immediately won over, this clumsiness charmed me a lot. It has been a super collaboration since then, he is one of the great Italian entrepreneurs, like Giulio Capellini, Piero Gandini and Eugenio Perazza, without whom nothing would have happened and with whom I have learned, and learn, so much.’
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ronan Bouroullec, Mutina, 2024
Casa Mutina and Spazio Cernaia
Via Cernaia, 1A, Milan
Cristina Kiran Piotti is an Italian-Indian freelance journalist. After completing her studies in journalism in Milan, she pursued a master's degree in the economic relations between Italy and India at the Ca' Foscari Challenge School in Venice. She splits her time between Milan and Mumbai and, since 2008, she has concentrated her work mostly on design, current affairs, and culture stories, often drawing on her enduring passion for geopolitics. She writes for several publications in both English and Italian, and she is a consultant for communication firms and publishing houses.
-
Audi launches AUDI, a China-only sub-brand, with a handsome new EV concept
The AUDI E previews a new range of China-specific electric vehicles from the German carmaker’s new local sub-brand
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Inside Izza Marrakech: A new riad where art and bohemian luxury meet
Honouring the late Bill Willis’ hedonistic style, Izza Marrakech fuses traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with the best of contemporary art
By Ty Gaskins Published
-
Clocking on: the bedside analogue timepieces that won’t alarm your aesthetic
We track down the only tick-tocks that matter, nine traditional alarm clocks that tell the time with minimum fuss and maximum visual impact
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Design showcase Alcova announces its 2025 locations in Milan
Alcova, the roving design exhibition, will expand its footprint with two new locations in the northern Milan suburb of Varedo – a former factory and ancient greenhouses
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Elevate your interiors with Wallpaper* July 2024, the Design Directory
Wallpaper* July 2024 rounds up the best new furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms and more – on sale now
By Bill Prince Published
-
Jaipur Rugs unveils collaboration with Chanel's yarn maker Vimar1991
During Milan Design Week 2024, Jaipur Rugs demonstrated its expertise through a collaboration with Chanel-owned yarn experts Vimar1991
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Wallpaper* and SNOW explore the alchemy of grown diamonds in a new film
Wallpaper* and grown-diamond specialist SNOW partnered on the Class of ’24 exhibition during Milan Design Week 2024 and a new film exploring the art and alchemy of the laboratory’s process
By Simon Mills Published
-
Adal brings Japan's disappearing natural materials to furniture design
Japanese brand Adal Look into Nature exhibited for the first time at Salone del Mobile 2024, showcasing its contemporary products made using igusa, a traditional material whose manufacturing is slowly disappearing
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Toiletpaper Apartment debuts in Milan with a 'sophisticated' Alex Prager collaboration
Toiletpaper present 'ToiletAlex PaperPrager' their new unsettling projects on the occasion of Milan Design Week 2024
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Japan in Milan: the best of Japanese design at Milan Design Week 2024
Discover the best of Japanese design showcasing innovative designs from terrazzo tables to tree-inspired textiles at Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile 2024
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
The new interior design trends we spotted at Salone del Mobile 2024
These are the interior design trends to look out for in 2024 and beyond, from soft upholstery to conversation pits and low dining
By Rosa Bertoli Published