Journal

A chronicle of people, places, happenings, and creations we admire.

Mark 57: August / September 2015

One of our favorite architecture and design publications is Mark.  In issue #57 Monica Zerboni investigates OMA’s Prada Foundation, the Mother of all Epicenters, where all Prada culture is created, tested, perfected and exhibited.  Acting virtually as a museum on the old industrial side of Milan, the Fondazione is also a bastion of art, media and creativity.  This among other projects by Herzon & de Meuron, Projekt Praga, Swedish firm Schmitt Hammer Lassen's public library in Aarhus, their concert hall in Malmö, L.A. architect Eric Owen Moss' Pterodactyl building, Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s new Broad Museum are feature in the August-September issue.

Photos: ©Frame Publishers, 2015

PRADA Women's FW2015: "Infinite Palace" By AMO

For the Prada FW 2015 Women’s fashion show, AMO converts PRADA's existing Milan show space into a series of chambers or 'Enfilade' where openings are aligned creating a journey of experiences and variations on a theme referencing the style of 16th Century Mannerism. 

Expanded metal grating denotes spatial transition between the rooms as well as concealing/complimenting the industrial lighting above while key zones of the 'runway' floor are marked with industrial diamond plate inserts of various shapes.  The audience seating is arranged at each room's perimeter creating an intimacy as the models pass through. The muted color palate in varied degrees play light and shadow within the space and contrast (whether intentional or not) the dynamic and static participation of model and audience.

Images ©OMA/AMO

PRADA X MARTINO GAMPER | 'CORNERS' WINDOW DESIGN CONCEPT

We became aware of Martino's work from the '100 Chairs in 100 Days' project in 2007, where he effectively re-purposed and built original chairs from pieces of discarded furniture.  This was a great creative exercise as well as a direct commentary on up-cycling and sustainability. Martino has recently created an incredible window design program for Italian fashion house PRADA.

Corners is an evolutionary window design concept by Martino Gamper in collaboration with Prada which pays homage to the humble corner. The design draws its inspiration from perspective, fragments and contrasts between natural materials. Those elements are enhanced by the simplicity of a corner which is a common thread for all the displays. Corners is a space within a space, making each display a unique story designed to evolve with the seasons. 
-from Prada Press Release

About Martino Gamper

Martino Gamper (b. 1971, Merano, Italy) lives and works in London. Starting as an apprentice with a furniture maker in Merano, Gamper went on to study sculpture under Michelangelo Pistoletto at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna. He completed a Masters in 2000 from the Royal College of Art, London, where he studied under Ron Arad. Working across design and art venues, Martino Gamper engages in a variety of projects from exhibition design, interior design, one-off commissions and the design of mass-produced products for the cutting edge of the international furniture industry.

Images ©Martino Gamper / Prada