RIMOWA has once again teamed up with contemporary art magazine and creative studio kaleidoscope, resulting in a multi-platform project developing in print, online, and live. on the occasion of milan design week 2019, their continued collaboration taps the talents of spanish designer guillermo santomá who has translated the premium luggage brand’s aluminium casing into a gas station-inspired installation.

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image by t-space studio

 

 

at the centre of the installation entitled ‘GAS’, santomá has created a RIMOWA-aluminum-panelled car that captures his style, blending art and function in a surreal manner. the piece performs as a light and sound sculpture whilst drawing on the culture of custom cars, something santomá is fascinated with.

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image by t-space studio

 

 

‘GAS’ demonstrates the artist’s passion for the american west coast and pays tribute to ed ruscha’s iconic series twentysix gasoline stations, from where the exhibition derives its title. housed inside milan’s spazio maiocchi, the project is completed by a photographic book and a short film — made by thibaut grevet — that was captured between the harsh desert landscape of los monegros and the artist’s home / studio in barcelona: an exclusive way to enter the heart of this unique collaboration.

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image by t-space studio

 

 
 
‘in many cases, developing a product is very close to an artistic practice,’ comments the designer on RIMOWA’s alluminium, a material that has passed the test of time since 1937. ‘I like to work with industrial materials and push them to the limit’. 

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image © designboom

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image © designboom

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image © designboom

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image © designboom

guillermo santomá uses RIMOWA aluminum panels to pimp car during milan design week kaleidoscope
image © designboom

 

 

project info:

 

name: GAS

artist: guillermo santoma

in collaboration with: RIMOWA + kaleidoscope magazine

venue: spazio maiocchi, via maiocchi 7, 20129 milan, italy