design miami basel/ 2022 introduces podium, a curated selling display of museum-quality works

THE 16TH EDITION OF DESIGN MIAMI/ BASEL

The 2022 edition of Design Miami/ Basel presented visitors with extraordinary collectible design pieces, as well as a new program of Special Satellite Projects (read more here) and a talks program exploring the intersectional nature of design. Marking its Sixteenth edition, the show was curated by recently appointed Curatorial Director Maria Cristina Didero who proposed The Golden Age theme.

With a lineup of 30 international galleries and 17 Curio projects, event attendees enjoyed a strong showcase of historic and contemporary design pieces. And, for the first time in Basel, Design Miami/ introduced the Podium exhibition concept which showcased a curated selling display of museum-quality works in line with the curatorial theme.

images by James Harris unless otherwise noted

2022 MARKED THE FIRST EDITION OF PODIUM IN BASEL

‘This year marks the first edition of Podium in Basel, and I’ve been surprised and delighted by the enthusiastic reception from the galleries and design studios excited to be part of this new element for the 2022 exhibition – and with whom we have worked in close collaboration to select the objects,’ said Maria Cristina Didero. ‘The exhibition offers the opportunity to explore a large range of presentations of amazing pieces from different contexts, times and geographies. Podium becomes a platform to reflect on how these pieces can ignite discussions around today’s design scene.’

Presented alongside the gallery booths and Curio presentations, the Podium exhibition featured a magnificent array of historical and contemporary designers, exploring the theme The Golden Age: Rooted in the past. Examples include the two-seater How High is the Moon by Shiro Kuramata, presented by Friedman Benda; the Sakura TRP vases by Maarten Vrolijk presented by Galerie Scene Ouverte; and the mystical and precious jewelry pieces by Daniel Kruger shown by Galleria Antonella Villanova. Lastly, Carlo Mollino’s exceptional bunk beds from 1955, proposed by Galleria Rossella Colombari, welcomed Design Miami/’s visitors and invited them to contemplate functional beauty.

‘Even during the hardest of struggles, as a society we should always focus and strive to be better,’ Didero continued. ‘We must remember that challenges have always driven humanity forward. Human beings have come up with answers to the world’s most pressing questions, often during moments in which the very roots of our life are being tested by external forces, over which it seems we have no control. In June we will question these ideas – exploring how the perseverance, flexibility, resilience and adaptability of humanity has led us to innovation and hope. We must continue this now more than ever.’

Other highlights included the Millefiori Lamps by Joy de Rohan Chabot presented by Galerie Chastel-Marechal; -a pair of lamps featuring gilded metal leaves and flowers; the sculptural Eros coffee table (c.1970s) by Angelo Mangiarotti presented by Morentz Gallery that exemplifies the post-modern designs of the Italian architect and designer; and the beautiful Water Lillies Bowl (1955) by Pierre Paulin presented by Pascal Cuisinier, this design is one of the rarest and most iconic pieces from the designers works in this period with only two or three ever produced.