As soon as February starts my heart starts to glow and I try to book myself a room in eager anticipation of a week filled with beauty, discoveries, good food (hey, you’re in Italy) and parties. First of all, the Salone is filled with parties. Whether a gallery opening, a product presentation or the regular aperitivo, the Milanese will find a reason to celebrate. But secondly, for the last ten years, my birthday was during this week, and when that happens year after year, people start to celebrate with you. I’m not sure whether the best party was on the rooftop of a penthouse in the middle of Milano with the Alessi and Moooi team, or when the Lensvelt team surprised me with champagne at midnight.
My birthday aside, at Atelier Van Lieshout the heat is on right now. Several products are being finalized and it’s not certain that they’ll be ready in time for the Salone. Yes, the Statistocrat lamp will be shown at Moooi, but will the Lazy Modernist at Lensvelt be ready on time and will it fit in the concept of this year’s presentation? The Golden Ratio, which defines whether or not a product or a work of art is up to Joep’s standard, is sometimes hard to define. Just last week, Joep was literally taping the sides of the prototype of his new design. Height, length, width, colour. Everything matters.
Luckily for you, WOTH readers, I have a sneak preview of a work that will definitely be shown. In Milan, you’ll have the chance to see Joep’s latest collaboration: the Freedom Lamp. A work of art that doubles as a lamp, with the proceeds from its sale going to an organization called Young in Prison. It’s a limited edition, and first-come, first-served.
by Eva Olde Monnikhof
Director AVL-Mundo Atelier Van Lieshout
