Shifting Perspectives
A culture of craft and materiality were clear to see on the stand of Italian brand Pedrali at Salone del Mobile
To enjoy art without leaving a large smudge on the planet is a wonderful thing, and it’s something Italian furniture brand Pedrali managed adeptly during Milan Design Week this year.
At the Salone del Mobile Pedrali, in collaboration with DWA Design Studio, created what it called #PedraliShiftingPerspectives: a contemporary, immersive experience showcasing furniture from its nine new collections, inspired by the colours of the Earth. The pieces, some from new lines and others existing as extensions of current collections, were exhibited in a spacious installation that paid homage to the simplicity of Mother Nature.
In keeping with the company’s strong sustainability philosophy, the stand was crafted out of carefully selected materials optimised for disassembling, recycling or future reuse. Three new pieces particularly stood out for their intricacy and elegance: the Griante seat by CMP Design, the Kawara lights by Yusuke Kawai and the Opale armchair by Patrick Jouin.
The Griante seating collection reinterprets the idea of a woven chair, intertwining artisan ideas with elements of industrial production. The woven structure of the chair’s back and base are handmade in Italy out of polypropylene yarn ribbon boasting a three-dimensional texture. The outdoor version of Griante is complemented by sturdy teak legs, creating a contrast between natural and man-made materiality.
Kawai’s elegant Kawara lights double up as a sculptural accessory, with a name inspired by traditional Japanese tiles that cover the triangular roofs of sacred buildings. Kawara is available as pendant, horizontal, or vertical, as well as floor versions with extruded aluminum modules allowing for a plethora of directional light. Streamlined, sleek and dimmable, care and craftsmanship has been poured into a design concept that is practical yet personal.
Jouin’s Opale armchair comes in a variety of soft, earthy tones mirroring the seat’s rounded, fluid personality. Devoid of harsh lines, the chair is ovular before tapering out and becoming rounded at the arm rests, with legs of solid walnut or ash. A fetching feature – a hidden handle integrated into the rear part of the backrest – Opale is where modernity and craft intertwine.
