Hidden Art’s presence in Milan has grown from strength to strength since our Italian debut back in April 2002. In 2005, Hidden Art’s exhibition showcased the work of 23 members, selected by an industry panel including Tomoko Azumi, Sheridan Coakley (SCP), David Dewing (Geffrye Museum), Max Fraser (Design UK), and Lynda Relph-Knight (Editor, Design Week).
Hidden Art Protoypes was a collection of new prototypes of furniture, lighting and interior products, from a group of 17 London-based designer-makers, selected by an industry panel for the originality of their concept and innovative use of materials.
Exhibitors:- ade a studio, Andrew Davies, Asaru, Biscuit, Charles Trevelyan, Conscious Forms, Corinna Warm, Damdesign, Eriko Sukegawa, Gala Wright, Giuseppe Fasano, Hybrid7, Julian Mayor, Magnus Long, Michelle Mason, Nebula Design, Susana Shaw
They exemplified London’s reputation for innovative style and design. Tomoko Azumi said of Susana Shaw’s Hover-Fork and Hover-Spoon: “It is great to see new cutlery and Shaw brings a good debate to tableware.”
Sheridan Coakley said Magnus Long’s standing hanger had the hallmarks of a design classic. “It is very clever, very suitable, and is a great British design.”
Julian Mayor exhibited his General Dynamic chair, following the success of his Contour Chair at Design London 2004.
Hidden Art In Production featured designers/manufacturers that had established their own product ranges ready to sell. Companies were selected for their design quality and use of materials.
Exhibitors:- Black + Blum, Design…irr (Anti-Quaint, Lothair Hamann, One Bravo), Jeremy Cole, Jocelyn Warner
Anti-Quaint and Black+Blum exhibited at Design London for the second time.
Anti-Quaint returned to build on the success of the Sling Seat, which received a huge level of interest at its debut at Design London 2004. “Milan allowed us to test market the direction for our products, to establish an appropriate retail price and market and give us the green light to manufacture them in quantity,” said Anti-Quaint’s Alec Birkbeck. They made manufacturing contacts in Italy, Brazil, Turkey and Japan, and found new customers in Europe and the USA.
Despite only launching six months ago, Jeremy Cole has enchanted the design world with his sculptural lighting inspired by the flora of his native New Zealand. 2005 saw him make his Milan debut with Hidden Art.
Jocelyn Warner’s distinctive wallpapers breathe new life into interiors, and she launched new colourways to her Leaf and Scribble wallpapers in Milan.
The Hidden Art Design Brokerage also participated in Design London, showing lights manufactured by CTO Lighting, designed by Gitta Gschwendtner, Sam Johnson and Richard Shed.
The lights were developed using the Design Brokerage. The service aims to initiate new collaborations between designer-makers and clients, including retailers, manufacturers and companies that need various design services.
