Creatures on display at the Triennale Design Museum
Carnival of the Animals
This month, the Triennale Design Museum in Milan launched ANIMAlità, showcasing never-before-seen, character-driven ceramic works by Sam Baron, Matteo Cibic, Jaime Hayon, Sebastian Herkner, Minale-Maeda, and many others. The exhibition is the continuation of a research project first brought to life over a decade ago by museum director Silvana Annicchiarico (starting with the exhibition series Le Parole e le Cose), exploring the relationships between names and designed objects.
The objects shown in ANIMAlità are delightful creatures loaded with symbolism; every one offers the audience another opportunity to imagine the fantastical stories—and imaginary worlds—behind them.
Describing the creatures he designed for the exhibition, Sam Baron says: "[They] are a fusion of mythology and personal memories, where a bull becomes a Minotaur, the ram is seen as an honored, sacrificed animal used to celebrate gods, [and] the horse becomes a fantastical figure like the unicorn. . . this unique but universal association of animals unites religions, legends, [and] even astrology."
We also love Matteo Cibic's story of the zoomorphic Garden of Eden, where race and dimension have no boundaries: "Dogs with webbed paws and bright ears, dragons with human feet and two-faced birds…There are no limits to the erotic and reproductive fantasies in the inhabitants of this garden. The art-freak characters who come out of it are the best companions and bear witness to a memorable loving effusion."
Sebastian Herkner's Compagnos, meanwhile, subtly reference the diversity of nature: “Beetle, Fish, and Bird are the ambassadors for the elements earth, water, and wind. They remind us to live responsibly in our environment and [to respect] its resources and creatures. The three objects sit smoothly in your hand like worry stones."
The exhibition's designs were realized in cooperation with the renowned Italian ceramic company Bosa.
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Oda Medium in Black and White by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo
Oda Medium in Smoky Grey and Black by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo
Oda Medium in Amber and Black by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo
Oda Small in White by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo
Oda Small in Black and White by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo
Oda Big in Amber and Black by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo
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Small Boule in Clear & Smoky Grey Glass with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Small Boule in Clear & Opal White Glass with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Medium Boule in Smoky Grey Glass with a White Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Medium Boule in Opal White & Smoky Grey Glass with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Medium Boule in Opal White & Smoky Grey Glass and White Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Medium Boule in Smoky Grey Glass with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Small Boule in Opal White & Smoky Grey Glass with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Medium Boule in Clear & Opal White Glass with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Medium Boule in Clear and Smoky Grey Glass with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Medium Boule Medium in Clear & Smoky Grey Glass with a White Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Small Boule Small in Opal White & Smoky Grey Glass with a White Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal
Small Boule in Smoky Grey with a Black Base by Sebastian Herkner for Pulpo & Rosenthal