En Plein Air
16.06.18

With design being both a profession and a passion for the NHO team, we’re fortunate to be exposed to a vast amount of inspired work. As such, it’s rare to be stopped in our tracks, even when attending Milan Design Week. However, that’s exactly what happened when we were introduced to En Plein Air, an exhibition of works by Italian architect and designer Vincenzo De Cotiis. En Plein Air, which literally translates to outdoors, is a reference to the late 19th century movement in which artists left their studios to paint outdoors. Featuring 20 furniture-sculptures handmade by Italian artisans, the collection of seating, lighting, tables, cabinets and bookshelves uniquely combines semiprecious stones, Murano glass, recycled resin and cast brass. Utterly individual; and unlike anything we’ve seen before or since. It must be said, amid the crush of design week events, the by-appointment approach and a ban on all photography, was both bold and refreshing. Photography courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery.