dozie kanu reworks the aluminum grooves of luxury travel brand RIMOWA

luxury luggage manufacturer RIMOWA joins forces with american artist and designer dozie kanu for a special collaboration with art magazine and creative studio kaleidoscope. presented during milan design week kanu took the travel case and its aesthetics to inspire three activations: a short film, an installation, and a printed publication.

the short film, directed by british filmmaker sam hiscox, shows kanu in his lisbon studio hosted in a still operational stone and marble factory. interspersed with a biographical monologue, the artist-designer can be seen crafting a series of furniture using the lightweight and flexible aluminium RIMOWA has been known for since 1937. in the video kanu explains his motivations to ‘deconstruct and expose the components used to make their [RIMOWA’s] cases‘. he continues: ‘I like how easy and soft the aluminum is to manipulate’.

all images © rui wu and ivan grant

melding street culture and the urban environment with design sensibilities, kanu creates objects that are at the same time sculptural and functional. a collection of pieces including shelves, lighting, armchairs and suitcases are all realised using RIMOWA aluminum.

alongside a photo-zine from kaleidoscope’s new june issue the objects were originally presented during milan design week at spazio maiocchi, a new interdisciplinary hub and social space in milan. the event marked RIMOWA’s debut during the city’s design week.