Design heavyweights Moroso have just sent us a preview of their new products that will premier at the Milan Salone, and we're pretty impressed with Patricia Urquiola's two new seating concepts for the firm.
The basic starting point for this year’s show are lightness and playing with images, a study of forms, colours and fabrics and material research. This element of research is a key element in Patricia Urquiola’s “Fergana” collection, whose fabrics combine ancient weaving techniques from Uzbekistan with European industrial manufacturing techniques. We particularly like the look of her cosy, large-sized modular sofa which can become a monobloc with an incorporated table. Interestingly, the sofa is not intended to be placed against a wall but as an island, which is the way Uzbek seating is traditionally arranged. Patricia Urquiola’s second design was inspired by rift valleys, hence the collection’s name, 'Rift' The range includes two sofas, Aden Sofa and Afar Rift, plus an armchair and smaller chair. Just like tectonic plates, which diverge, collide and overlap, creating several layers, the Rift sofas and chairs playfully convey an effect of a sliding movement and asymmetric fusion.
2009 looks set to be a year for the girls at Moroso too, since they'll also be exhibiting pieces from all-girl design studio Front.
Another important new feature this year - and a must visit for those of you planning to be in Milan for the fair - is an idea by Patrizia Moroso centred around Africa, with an off-show event in Moroso’s Milan showroom in Via Pontaccio, where different artistic forms will be used to explore a new, contemporary idea of the continent’s beauty and force. Co-ordinated by African-American designer Stephen Burks, artists, designers, manufacturers, architects and other African creative artists will produce floor or wall installations of hand-made objects and furnishings. "Don’t expect any ethnic-chic moods or products,” warns Patrizia Moroso, “Africa is much more than that!”.
