‘A Flame For Research’ is a powerful project initiated by Italian metalwork designer Daniele Mingardo, which invites ten renowned designers across the globe each to create a candleholder to raise funds to help combat cancer. Taking part are Federica Biasi, Michele De Lucchi, Jaime Hayon, Philippe Malouin, Alberto and Francesco Meda, Luca Nichetto, Panter & Tourron, Matteo Thun, Patricia Urquiola, and Marcel Wanders studio.
During Milan Design Week 2021 in September, these bespoke objects will be showcased in an exhibition curated by design advisor Federica Sala, and will later be auctioned at a charity event organised in collaboration with Christie’s Italia. All proceeds will go to the Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute to help support the organisation with its cancer-fighting research.
‘A Flame for Research’: a personal quest for Daniele Mingardo
‘Hope’ by Patricia Urquiola
The project is deeply personal to Daniele Mingardo, who founded his eponymous design brand in Monselice, Padua, in 2013, having previously worked alongside his parents in their highly skilled local workshop. ‘In 2013, my mother left us because of pancreatic cancer. She used to work here at the workshop, alongside my father and me,’ he explains.
He wanted to find a way for designers to contribute to the fight against cancer in a tangible way. The fundraiser was developed to fuel research and provide a symbol of hope. ‘The candleholder is an object with a strong ancestral symbolism linked to fire,’ says Mingardo. ‘At the same time, it conveys the idea of custody, care, and therefore love and attention for things and people.’
Candleholders as a symbol of hope
‘Edicola’ by Luca Nichetto
The candleholder’s flame is considered to bring light in places of darkness, and has connotations of positivity. Each of the ten designers was invited to create their own interpretation of these themes. The collection will be a medley of styles and ideas that are unified by a shared objective.
‘It was important to have ten candleholders, because the number ten symbolises perfection,’ says Sala. ‘The collaboration with Christie’s Italia is fundamental for the project too, both for the institutional prestige of the well-known auction house, but above all to reach an audience of interested collectors to approach in support of the Mario Negri Institute.’
Mingardo (a past contributor to Wallpaper* Handmade) has garnered international recognition for its precise, intricate, and high-quality design and craftsmanship. Through ‘A Flame For Research’, Daniele has shown a way that designers can also positively contribute to science, too.
Left, Daniele Mingardo, founder of metal design brand Mingardo, at work on ‘Incontro’ candleholder by Alberto and Francesco Meda. Right, ‘Instrument N 01’ candleholder by Jaime Hayon, work in progress. Art direction: Federica Biasi
From left, Daniele Mingardo, fellow designer and Mingardo art director Federica Biasi, and ‘A Flame for Research’ curator Federica Sala
‘Rue’ candleholder by Federica Biasi
Michele De Lucchi’s ‘Riflesso’ candleholder
‘Instrument N 01’ candleholder by Jaime Hayon
‘Stack’ candleholder by Philippe Malouin
‘Incontro‘ by Alberto and Francesco Meda
‘Focus’ by Panter Tourron
‘Sant’Agata’ candleholder by Matteo Thun
‘Cou Cou’ by Marcel Wanders Studio
INFORMATION
‘A Flame for Research’ is at Offstage, Piazza Luigi Vittorio Bertarelli 4, Milan, 5 – 10 September 2021
Christie’s auction is at Mariencò, Via Ampola 18, Milan, 15 September 2021. All proceeds from the candleholders will go to Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute
ADDRESS
Offstage
Piazza Luigi Vittorio Bertarelli 4
Milan
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