Luminaire auctions Campana brothers, Nendo and Marcel Wanders works (and more) in Miami

Nasir and Nargis Kassamali, founders of Miami’s Luminaire Lab, are hosting ’GlasLove’
Nasir and Nargis Kassamali, founders of Miami’s Luminaire Lab, are hosting ’GlasLove’, in collaboration with auction house Phillips and in aid of cancer research
(Image credit: Nasir and Nargis Kassamali)

An eloquent curation of modern glasswork has come together at Miami’s Luminaire Lab for a fantastic cause. In a collaboration with international auction house Phillips, the design store is hosting its ‘GlasLove’ auction and exhibition in aid of cancer research until 11 October (as well as a physical auction and gala dinner preceding this on 6 October).

Following their prior PuppyLove, DesignLove and PaperLove auctions, Luminaire founders Nasir and Nargis Kassamali this time set their sights on the fluidity and versatility of glass. ‘The idea started in 2015 at Oki Sato’s “Nendo Works: 2014–2015” exhibition at the Museo della Permanente in Milan,’ explains Nasir. ‘My wife, Nargis, and I were completely enamoured by the exhibition. This is when Oki Sato and Glas Italia graciously decided to donate the pieces for our auction series, and ultimately this was what confirmed the idea.’ Those 30 playful conjoining furniture pieces by Nendo span across the Lab’s minimalist Miami design district space, informally acting as the backbone of the installation.

Elsewhere, the eclectic and delicate – yet powerful – group of works ticks all boxes for discerning design shoppers. Lighting is up for grabs in the form of lollypop Campana brothers chandeliers, floating ethereal Bocci lights, and botanical Tord Boontje wonders. Those after charming smaller pieces can be tempted by Todd Bracher’s scientific vessels, Andrea Branzi‘s artistic silhouettes or intricate floral forms courtesy of Marcel Wanders.

‘Poetically and metaphorically, glass reflects the spirit of those battling cancer, and thus was an ideal material for our fundraising auction to benefit cancer research,’ Nasir muses. All money raised will be donated to the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (itself part of the University of Miami).

An exhibition and online auction runs until 11 October, with a physical auction and gala dinner preceding this on 6 October.

An exhibition and online auction runs until 11 October, with a physical auction and gala dinner preceding this on 6 October. Pictured (from left): ’Soft’ tables, by Nendo for Glas Italia; ’Momento’ by Nao Tamura. 

(Image credit: Kenichi Sonehara)

Pictured: Nendo’s 30 pieces lined up in the Miami space

The idea developed when the founders visited Nendo’s retrospective at Salone del Mobile 2015. ’This is when Oki Sato and Glas Italia graciously decided to donate the pieces for our auction series, and ultimately this was what confirmed the idea.’ Pictured: Nendo’s 30 pieces lined up in the Miami space

(Image credit: Nendo)

Left: ’Annular’, by Todd Bracher. Right: ’Born Broken Vase’,

Left: ’Annular’, by Todd Bracher. Right: ’Born Broken Vase’, by Jakub Berdych, for Lasvit


(Image credit: Todd bracher & Jakub Berdych)

Tord Boontje’s ’Blossom’ light hanging over Nendo’s ’Pair’ chairs

‘Poetically and metaphorically, glass reflects the spirit of those battling cancer, and thus was an ideal material for our fundraising auction to benefit cancer research,’ Nasir muses. Pictured: Tord Boontje’s ’Blossom’ light hanging over Nendo’s ’Pair’ chairs

(Image credit: Tord Boontje & Nendo)

Left: ’Bocci 73.19’, by Omer Arbel. Right: ’Sphere’ chandelier, by the Campana brothers, for Lasvit

Left: ’Bocci 73.19’, by Omer Arbel. Right: ’Sphere’ chandelier, by the Campana brothers, for Lasvit

(Image credit: Omer Arbel & Campana brothers)

INFORMATION

The ’GlasLove’ online auction and exhibition runs until 11 October. For more information, visit the Luminaire website

ADDRESS

Luminaire Lab
3901 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33137

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Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.