Daniel Arsham and Kohler Unveil “Divided Layers” Installation at Palazzo Courtyard during Milan Design Week
In 2022, the artist Daniel Arsham collaborated with Kohler to infuse his artistic vision into Milan Design Week. His immersive large-scale installation, Divided Layers, transformed the courtyard of Palazzo del Senato, inviting attendees to stroll beneath its organic shapes.
These layered panels, which create a tunnel effect, drew inspiration from the partnership between Arsham and Kohler, a company renowned for its faucets and plumbing fixtures. Each panel in the installation reflects a layer of clay that composes the sink, akin to the 3D-printed layers of the limited-edition sink he crafted. Instead of utilizing these layers to create a solid structure, Arsham engages with negative space.
Carving away or subtracting is a recurring motif in Arsham’s creations, and its manifestation on such an expansive scale is captivating. Enhancing the installation is a shallow pond that served as a reflective surface. This mirror adds depth to the artwork, encouraging visitors to ponder the malleability of space.
“Each layer served as both a fragment of matter and time, making the experience of walking through the work akin to crossing thresholds in both space and dimension,” Arsham expressed in a recent Instagram post reflecting on the piece. “This was sculpture reinterpreted as architecture, a space to inhabit instead of merely an object to observe from a distance.”
“Below the structure, a body of water reflected the opening overhead, extending the area into infinity and blurring the lines between reality and imagination, present and future. It prompted onlookers to contemplate our interaction with space and how design can evoke a sense of movement through both ancient histories and those yet to unfold.”
The installation represents the apex of a successful collaboration between Arsham and Kohler, illustrating that innovative thinking and functional design can thrive together. Divided Layers garnered the 2022 Fuorisalone Award for its impactful presence and has left a lasting mark far beyond its week-long display.
In 2022, Daniel Arsham and Kohler partnered to incorporate Arsham’s artistic flair at Milan Design Week.
His immersive large-scale installation, Divided Layers, dominated the courtyard of the Palazzo del Senato, inviting guests to traverse under its organic formations.
The panels were inspired by the 3D-printed layers of his limited-edition sink designed for the American company.
“Each layer served as both a fragment of matter and time, making the act of walking through the work feel like crossing thresholds not only in space but in dimension.”
“This represented sculpture as architecture, a space for engagement instead of merely an entity to be viewed from the exterior.”
Daniel Arsham: [Website](https://www.danielarsham.com/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/danielarsham/)
All images by Jeff Stasney. My Modern Met granted permission to showcase photos by Kohler.
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