Take 5: Geometric Ceramics, Blow-Up Installations, Black-Lit Rooms + More
Twice a month we invite one of the Design Milk team members to share five personal favorites – an opportunity for each of us to reveal the sort of designs we love and appreciate in our own lives from a more personal perspective. Editor-in-Chief Caroline Williamson returns this week for our Take 5 series.
1. Bruno Billio’s TRON Installations
I’ve been following Toronto-based Bruno Billio’s Instagram for awhile and I keep revisiting his various TRON installations, which are a mesmerizing blend of futuristic aesthetics and immersive art. Inspired by the iconic visual style of the 1982 TRON film, Billio uses neon lights and black lighting to create dynamic, otherworldly environments that captivate those experiencing them in real life. His installations highlight architectural details and geometric designs that glow vividly under the black light, evoking a sense of stepping into a digital realm. The vibrant colors and sharp contrasts of the neon elements against the darker background draw the audience into a surreal experience, blurring the lines between reality and the virtual world.
Top: Vessel No. VII, in Ivory glaze \\\ Bottom: Vessel No. II, in Aged Bronze glaze \\\ Photo: Courtesy of Devin Wilde
2. Devin Wilde Sculptural Vessels
Watching Devin Wilde’s sculpture practice take shape over the last year plus has been a thrill to witness, even from afar. The Brooklyn-based artist and ceramicist makes each piece by hand in his Red Hook studio, and if you’ve ever attempted this medium before, you know the process is quite laborious. It comes as no surprise that Wilde studied architecture originally, as each unique piece blends intricate details with masterful precision and symmetry like no other. His background informs a meticulous approach to form and structure, resulting in sculptures that are both visually striking and structurally sound. With a fusion of art and architecture, Wilde’s geometric pieces capture the attention of viewers thanks to his technical skill and artistic vision.
Photo: Courtesy of Momoko Ikarashi
3. Momoko Ikarashi’s Glass Boxes
While I can’t find a lot of information on this exhibition, the images I continue to come across keep pulling me back in. Glass artist Momoko Ikarashi’s “One Day Windows” is a captivating series, also part of her first solo exhibition held recently at the Cocoon Room, that transforms everyday moments into beautiful visual narratives. Using a technique called “pâte de verre,” or glass casting, each glass box will have viewers experience soft sounds along with changes in color and texture when they remove the glass lids. Both box and lid feature varying degrees of gradation, playing together as they’re separated and put back together.
Airship Orchestra for Sapporo International Arts Festival, Sapporo, Japan \\\ Photo: Henry Gosper
4. ENESS’ Inflatable Sculptures
Melbourne-based ENESS, an award-winning art and technology studio, is renowned for their delightful inflatable light art installations that transform public spaces into enchanting, immersive environments. Their large-scale, inflatable sculptures come alive with dynamic lighting and graphic patterns, captivating visitors with their playful presence. These installations often interact with their surroundings, responding to movement, sound, or changes in light, creating an engaging experience. The use of inflatables allows ENESS to explore organic, fluid forms that defy traditional sculptural boundaries, while their sophisticated lighting techniques imbue these forms with a sense of magic and wonder.
Photo: Courtesy of Myrsini Alexandridi
5. Myrsini Alexandridi Hand-Painted Ceramic Tiles
Another artist with an architecture background, Stockholm-based Myrsini Alexandridi makes hand-painted ceramic tiles that are happy mix of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. Each tile is meticulously painted, showcasing Alexandridi’s keen eye for detail and her ability to blend detailed patterns with bold, modern aesthetics. Drawing inspiration from her Greek heritage and the vibrant cultural tapestry of Stockholm, Alexandridi’s work features a harmonious mix of vivid colors and intricate motifs. Her tiles often depict natural elements, geometric designs, and abstract forms, each piece telling a unique story while collectively creating a cohesive and visually dynamic mosaic.
