Salone del Mobile Installation

Project Details

Project Description

FROM COS:

Updated April 12, 2016:

COS has returned to Salone del Mobile with a newly commissioned installation by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.

Taking inspiration from the COS Spring Summer 2016 collection, ‘Forest of Light’ explores ideas of interaction and perspective; the darkened space is illuminated by towering cones of light that are designed to respond to visitors’ movements. Specially-composed sounds, subtle fog and mirrored walls create an immersive, infinite landscape where the conical spotlights become abstracted trees in a shifting forest of light.

Built in the 1930s by Italian architect Mario Cereghini, the installation is located in Cinema Arti in Milan’s San Babila district. A former theatre, the now derelict venue has inspired the key aspects of Sou Fujimoto’s design and provides an expansive backdrop to the installation.

COS has been inspired by the work of Sou Fujimoto for many years. Often focusing on negative space and the concept of bringing the outside in, some of Fujimoto’s most well-known architectural projects such as the 2013 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion blur the parameters of space, with edges dissolving into their surrounding environment.

Martin Andersson, Head of Menswear Design at COS said of the collaboration, “Sou Fujimoto has really grasped the COS aesthetic, creating an installation that is so special in its simplicity and surprising in its approach.” Karin Gustafsson, Head of Womenswear Design continued, “It has been great working with Sou Fujimoto on this project, we have never had such a beautifully simple installation focusing on light and the effect is incredible”.

Sou Fujimoto said of the installation, “The COS pavilion is the purest realisation of the forest concept. This forest is not static, but light and people interact with one another, this interaction connects fashion, space and forest as a form of architecture.”

Open from 12th – 17th April, the collaboration with Sou Fujimoto marks the fifth year of COS installations during Salone del Mobile, and builds on the brand’s previous art and design collaborations with renowned global art establishments such as the Serpentine Galleries, Frieze Art Fairs and the Donald Judd Foundation.

March 01, 2016: COS is pleased to announce its partnership with Sou Fujimoto to create a specially commissioned installation that will showcase in Milan during Salone del Mobile 2016.

Open from 12th – 17th April and located within a former cinema in the centre of Milan, the collaboration marks the fifth year of COS’ involvement in Salone del Mobile, having worked with Nendo and Snarkitecture in recent years.

The highly esteemed Japanese architect, Sou Fujimoto is well known for his innovative designs that push the boundaries of minimalism and negative space, sharing in the COS vision of timeless and modern design. COS previously admired the work of Sou Fujimoto following the design of the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013, where COS annually sponsor the Serpentine Park Night Series.

Inspired by the latest COS collection, the installation will play on space, light and darkness to create a novel immersive experience. Designed to explore interaction and spatial awareness, an infinite forest of light will capture and react to visitors’ movements as they discover the space.

Sou Foujimoto says of the installation, “In this installation for COS, I envisage to make a forest of light. A forest which consists of countless light cones made from spotlights above. These lights pulsate and constantly undergo transience of state and flow. People meander through this forest, as if lured by the charm of the light. Light and people interact with one another, its existence defining the transition of the other.” Sou Fujimoto established his company Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000 after graduating from Tokyo University. A multiple prize winner, he was granted first prize at the international competition for Taiwan Tower and Beton Hala Waterfront Center in 2011, and was awarded the Grand Prize at the AR Awards in 2006. Having designed houses, temporary installations and medical and cultural facilities, Sou Fujimoto is now recognised as being at the forefront of design throughout the world. His most acclaimed work comprises of the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013, House NA and Musashino Art University Museum & Library in Japan.

Karin Gustafsson, Head of Womenswear Design at COS said of the partnership “We are very privileged to be working with Sou Fujimoto, an architect whom as a brand we have such a connection to. I’m really looking forward to seeing the concept come to life in our incredible new space in central Milan”. Sou Fujimoto, adds, “Once, this place was a theatre. Adopting the use of spotlight is an idea of homage. The spotlight becomes an interface which connects fashion, space and forest as a form of architecture.’’

The COS x Sou Fujimoto installation will be open from the 12th – 17th April 2016.