PRESS RELEASE

MILANO DESIGN WEEK 2008

Andrée Putman for Bisazza
Jaime Hayon for Bisazza

Milan, 16-21 April 2008
Superstudio Più
Via Tortona 27
Press preview:
Tuesday 15 April 2007, from 3pm to 7pm

During the Salone del Mobile 2008, Bisazza presents two striking installations by Andrée Putman and Jaime Hayon at Superstudio Più.

The installations, are not only an expression of two totally opposite styles but also of two different generational approaches, the French design icon and the young Spaniard interpret mosaic using their own original, highly distinctive language.

In this installation mosaic finds the maximum expression of its great artistic value and versatility in an entirely surprising way.

“ENTREVUE”, DESIGN BY ANDRÉE PUTMAN

Displaying pure, essential lines, furnishings created for the first time for Bisazza by Andrée Putman – the French darling of design acclaimed around the world – express the sophisticated, unique style which has always been her calling card, elevating her to the status of veritable icon of elegance.

Playful contrast between black and white – a hallmark of many of the designer’s projects – pervades the installation and creates a thought-provoking atmosphere, the perfect setting for pieces with such sophisticated, timeless style.

The visitor discovers the Entrevue collection little by little inside a dramatic box, the outside of which is covered with black mosaic tiles while the inside features luminous walls which magically change colour. Invited to explore this space, visitors follow a pre-defined route along a corridor where, in a crescendo of expectations, an enveloping chequerboard mesh resembling a protective net allows glimpses of objects beyond.

Inside this setting, the Zenith and Correspondances tables reveal their classic identity through a contemporary look.

A light source, coming from the gold mosaic, is the element of seduction of Zenith, the round table produced in corian and proposed in two colour versions: white corian with yellow gold mosaic and grey corian with white gold mosaic.

For Correspondances, the lacquered wooden writing desk available in four colour versions, the predominant decorative motif is alternating mosaic tiles, each model featuring two contrasting colours: black and white, blue and white, black and grey, each with a single gold tile “set” into the surface. The original arrangement of two overlapping surfaces gives movement and versatility to this item of furniture.

“One can sense a profound, precious energy in the Bisazza family. Their love of precision prevents them from settling for an object that is too overtly “present” and which might therefore detract from other objects close at hand. “Entrevue” is a collection for the home which is aggressively ambitious. The “Zenith” table miraculously draws on a hidden light source. The “Correspondances” writing desk comprises large, versatile surfaces characterised by an overlap.
Timeless, what these two objects have in common is invincible seduction. “
Andrée Putman

“JET SET”, DESIGN BY JAIME HAYON

The atmosphere in the second space dedicated to the project by Jaime Hayon is totally different. The Spanish designer continues his collaboration with Bisazza, still surprising us with his typically flamboyant, Mediterranean creative ability, which reveals his “playful” approach and his fun way of interpreting mosaic.

A setting reminiscent of a hangar, totally atypical and chic, hosts a sophisticated “fantasy” aeroplane with a decidedly surreal shape, decorated with white gold mosaic tiles, leather inserts and featuring a neat lounge with padded white sofas.

Completing the luxury jet look is a black and white striped floor in Bisazza glass chip mosaic tiles, with interesting reflections between light and shadow creating a movie-set atmosphere.

Through playful language, irony coupled with the creative, fantastic flair of Jaime Hayon allows visitors to escape from reality, “diverting them” towards a surreal, poetical world.

“I like the idea of being able to create a fun, more sophisticated version of an object as serious and functional as an aeroplane.
Set in a very glamorous hangar, this aeroplane is a light-hearted work with an unusual and enchanting look, complete with a glass cabin, leather wings and coloured missiles and symbols alluding to love.
Mosaic tiles in white gold and fibreglass make this aircraft luxurious and surreal.
The striped floor in Bisazza black and white glass tiles conveys a feeling of speed and movement.
The installation’s spectacular atmosphere, created by the use of reflectors, is reminiscent of a scene from an old Hollywood movie. At the heart of the aircraft is a circular lounge. I can imagine this thing flying, with a couple of lovers on board sipping champagne, the atmosphere charged with positive energy and emotions during their flight.
Jet Set is a sitting room cum aeroplane: an objet d’art in an imaginary installation which displays the potential of Bisazza mosaic.”
Jaime Hayon

PROFILE OF ANDRÉE PUTMAN

Born in Paris, Andrée Putman is one of the most internationally renowned designers. She has signed important projects of architecture and interior design for both public and private spaces in countries all over the world.
In one stage of her activity, more precisely in the Eighties, her interest in art and design led her to re-present and interpret some works by Eileen Gray, Robert Mallet- Stevens, and Mariano Fortuny.
Some of the most significant realisations include Morgan’s Hotel in New York, the Centre d’Art Plastique Contemporain in Bordeaux, the furnishings for the interior of the Concorde for Air France, the Pershing Hall Hotel in Paris, the Blue Spa and the swimming pool of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, the boutique Guerlain in Paris, many private residences and recently also “The Putman” skyscraper in Hong Kong.
As a designer she has created a line of jewels and some items of silverware for Christofle, a porcelain collection for Gaia & Gino and the reinterpretation of the famous Steamer Bag for Louis Vuitton.
Another of her recent activities was the “Espace Andrée Putman”, an area so called as a tribute to her, located in the Stade de France in Paris.
In January 2008, Bertrand Delanoë, the Mayor of Paris, appointed her President of the first Comité Design, an association specially created to advise and support the administration in all interventions and projects for the city.

PROFILE OF JAIME HAYON

Born in Madrid in 1974, Jaime Hayon is a young designer who, right from the start of his career in 2001 when he opened his own studio, has overcome those boundaries that traditionally separate the world of art from that of design. He devotes himself to the design of various objects, furnishing accessories and toys as well as the coordination and staging of exhibitions and interior design projects for public spaces, including shops and restaurants.
In 2004 he designed a line of accessories for the AQHayon bathroom by Artquitect, proving he’s a decidedly avant-garde designer. He has also been highly acclaimed for his artistic installations, like that at the David Gill Gallery in London, the Vitra Design Museum and the London Design Museum as well as other prestigious galleries: Vivid, Aram, etc
Awarded by Wallpaper, Elle Deco and London Design Festival for his work, Hayon is considered one of the most talented up-and-coming designers in the world.
He collaborates with several companies, including Metalarte, Artquitect Edition, BD Barcelona, Swarovski, Pallucco, Piper Heidsieck and Camper and since 2006 has been artistic consultant to Lladrò.
Many International design magazines have dedicated ample space to him and praised his projects, and some have featured him on their cover: Der Spiegel, Icon and How to spend it, the Financial Times colour supplement.

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