ART FROM KALPA AT THE MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2025

Integrating art into living spaces plays a vital role in exploring the deep connections between humanity and creativity. It is essential for fostering environments with distinct identities, evoking emotions in those who inhabit them. On the occasion of one the most influential events in the field of design - Milan Design Week 2025, KALPA presents a curated selection of art across two iconic and must-see venues: the newly inaugurated Palazzo Molteni in the heart of Milan's historic center and the Molteni Pavilion at the Company Compound in Giussano (Monza Brianza).

From contemporary art pieces to fine crafts, the exhibited works at Palazzo Molteni celebrate minimalism, non-finito and irregularity to reflect an instinctive approach to artistic creation. Spanning ceramic and wood sculptures, raw earth paintings and washi paper bas-reliefs, this diverse ensemble of artworks presents a visual and conceptual narrative linked to ancient materials and timeless gestures.

Recently reimagined by acclaimed designer and architect Vincent Van Duysen, the Palazzo is an original Art Nouveau-inspired structure that has been transformed into a versatile hub for design in its most dynamic and evolving forms. This multidisciplinary ecosystem is thoughtfully conceived to blend art and sophisticated design, creating an eclectic space to nurture and enhance creativity in all its manifestations.

Contributing to recreating the ambiance of a home belonging to an art and design collector, invited artists Akiko Hirai, Yoshimi Futamura, Sabine Pagliarulo, Marc Ricourt, Marco Bellini, Konrad Koppold, Pol Petrino and Janine Thüngen-Reichenbach, exhibit Nature-inspired creations which bridge contemporary art and old wisdom to convey messages that prompt us to reflect on our connection to an organic whole. While each of the artists tells a unique story, their creative visions connect and share qualities such as earthiness, vulnerability, instinct and self-awareness.

“It is a 'palazzo', but also a domestic universe, a private place that we wanted to recreate inside a monumental building of great allure that will be our home. A sensorial world: a journey full of surprises, all just waiting to be discovered.”

"ELEMENTAL" EXHIBITION: EMBRACING THE FORCE OF NATURE

Stepping onto the ground floor of the stunning interiors of Molteni Pavilion in the Company Compound in Giussano, the Elemental exhibition, curated by KALPA, is conceived to establish a harmonious dialogue with the modernist-inspired architecture designed by Vincent Van Duysen. The exhibition presents a selection of alabaster vessels, ceramic sculptures and raw earth paintings by artists Eleanor Herbosch (Belgium), Akiko Hirai (Japan/UK) and Tom Palmer (UK), delving into the essence of mineral and earth as the source and guardian of life, the root of our nutrition and our first home. 

KALPA draws its aesthetic inspiration from the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, emphasising the beauty found in life's fleeting nature and irregularities. Reflecting these foundational principles, Elemental presents a corpus of works that embody a deep emotional connection between the creator and the object of art, a strong interest in natural processes, and an emphasis on the qualities of imperfection and asymmetry.

Read more:  ELEMENTAL - RAW ELEGANCE OF MINERAL AND EARTH IN THE NEW EXHIBITION

Together, the elements foster a sense of balance and tranquility, inviting guests to experience an art installation that resonates with the essence of the natural world.

C R E D I T S :

Palazzo Molteni photography: Pui Yi @puipuiohoto for KALPA 

Molteni Pavilion photography: Daniel Civetta @danielcivetta for KALPA  

Quote: Vincent Van Duysen

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