Sitting in the modest atrium of the Nilufar Depot on Via Lancetti in Milan, Italy, Andres Reisinger is a scientist working in an interactive exhibition. 12 meditation chairshas placed the archetypal elements necessary to give the showcase the right narrative and evoke the desired emotions. For example, the industrial interior with its raw-finished floors and columns and a two-story ceiling with grey curtains serves as a tranquil backdrop for the showcase of 12 chairs and a vertically arranged mosaic installation. The chairs are white, allowing the mosaic installation, with its rich hues and textures, to act as the visual focal point of the space. Moreover, the arrangement of the seating objects in the area ensures a good amount of negative space, paving the way for contemplation and introspection, something that Reisinger also envisages in the title of the exhibition.
Speaking about his intention for the exhibition, Reisinger said: “I envisioned this as more than just an exhibition, but a multi-sensory experience. More than any other work, I aimed to create something that would instantly connect with anyone who entered the space, resonating with our shared humanity across time and space.” Regarding the symbolism of the apple, the Argentinian digital artist and designer added: “That’s why I went with a symbol, which is the most direct form of communication. In line with this approach, I placed meditation at its heart, which has not only been essential for humanity since time immemorial, but has also been an important element of my life in order to embrace the energies that fuel the creative process.”
Curated by Reisinger and Nina Yashar (founder of Nilufer Gallery). 12 meditation chairs It was opened on April 15, 2024 to celebrate Milan Design Week 2024. Time TravelerCurated by Yashar, the exhibition aimed to explore the complex narrative of design and its evolution over the years. Time Traveler “The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to embark on a journey where each exhibited work serves as a portal transporting the viewer from the inspirations of the past to the bold visions of today,” an excerpt from the press release reads.
Reisinger’s 12 meditation chairsOn display at Nilufer until October 2024, Reisinger is designed to offer visitors a theatre-like experience with a collection of 12 new chair designs inspired by designs from different eras, site-specific mosaics and an exclusive musical piece composed by the artist. “Even within the physical confines of this exhibition, Reisinger manages to evoke the ethereal essence of his digital works, which are elusive, transcendental and exist beyond the constraints of space and time as we know them,” said Yashar. While Reisinger, who divides his time between Madrid and Barcelona, is typically known for designing virtual furniture designs, spaces, expanses and experiences, he occasionally experiments in the physical realm, imbuing tangible landscapes with a distinctive experiential aesthetic.
and 12 meditation chairsReisinger invites visitors to embrace the experience freely and to immerse themselves in meditative reflection within the dramatic tableaux he has composed. For his showcase, the artist was inspired by meditation, which would later also become the theme of the design exhibition: “Meditation, embracing and yearning for the spiritual energies that inspire the creative process, is a theme that Nilufer’s founder Yashar likewise respects. The location on Viale Lancetti has long been considered a sanctuary of design and houses objects from different eras from all over the world. Site-specific 12 meditation chairs “It invites contemplation of the myriad energies contained within this striking venue,” the gallery states.
The arrangement of the twelve chairs around the central installation in the room recalls the human presence in a contemplative space. Moreover, the recurrence of the number twelve, both in the number of chairs displayed in the art gallery and in the number of apples in the vertical mosaic installation, alludes to the number’s theological, mythological and spiritual associations and veneration. From Greek mythology to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the recurrence of this number appears in key details of several major arcs and themes. This symbolism is further manifested within the exhibition in the dimensions of the mosaic installation, six meters high and six meters wide. Another archetypal symbolism is indicated by the twelve apples floating in the sky, imprinted on the vertical installation. Evoking a reference to the forbidden fruit mentioned in the scriptures of Abraham, these twelve apples represent a timeless symbol of wisdom and temptation.
While the limited edition chair is made from upholstered wood on a wooden frame, the mosaic is made from glass tiles and glazes on a wooden panel. The colorful mosaic was initially conceived as pixelated digital art and later created by 24 mosaic artists from Mexico’s Mosaic Artisans Guild. “Some artisans worked on the apple pieces, others on the different shades of blue, pale pink and purple of the clouds. Each piece of glass was cut and shaped by hand,” says Reisinger.
Together, the chairs and the mosaic communicate the senses of sight and touch, while Reisinger’s musical compositions stimulate the sense of hearing, creating a multisensory experience.
“12 Chairs for Meditation” will be on display until October 2024 in the atrium of Nilufar Depot, Via Lancetti, Milan, Italy.
