NO SEX miami by atelier biagetti is an exploration into the human psyche

‘NO SEX in miami’ follows milan based practice atelier biagetti’s exploration into the human psyche to address the all-time greatest obsession: the idea of sex. first presented during milan design week 2016 and then taken to design miami/ 2016, the project demonstrates the designer’s ability to decontextualize visual elements to create a short-circuit between the senses of the body, the preconceptions of the mind and the physical reality of the surrounding environment to create unexpected situations to be experienced rather than viewed. 

NO SEX miami by atelier biagetti is an exploration into the human psyche
image © manny hernandez

 
presented by patricia findlay at design miami/, the exhibit showcases a therapist’s studio along with the limited addition ‘NO SEX’ pieces. the space itself contains all the expected elements, but the deceptively familiar surroundings are not innocently functional. rather, they tease the viewer, thus provoking new kinds of behaviour around the perception of what ‘sexy’ is, and around the idea of contemporary design.

NO SEX in miami is the current episode of atelier biagetti’s exploration of contemporary life and goes deep into the human psyche to address the all-time greatest obsession: the idea of sex.
image © manny hernandez

the subtle backdrop provided by the setting highlights the sensual shades of champagne-pink and natural skin tones evidently exposed within each of the furniture pieces. the tactile nature of the set-up invites viewers to experience a familiar yet alien environment that encourages one to physically touch the objects. designboom met up with atelier biagetti to discuss the concept for the exhibit. 

alberto biagetti: this booth is inspired by the sigmund freud studio in vienna. we designed a new wallpaper to cover all of the walls and there is a ‘NO SEX’ day bed, chair, chandelier and mirror. this new version of the ‘NO SEX’ collection goes deeper into the psychological environment, because we think how people interact with objects is more important than the objects themselves. we act as movie makers rather than designers, we like to imagine how the contemporary house can act similar to a theatre instead of just a simple space to live. so basically our objects are actors which create an experience within the space, similar to that of a movie set.

patricia findlay presents atelier biagetti’s no sex in miami, designmiami/ 2016
image © manny hernandez

‘we aim to design objects that catalyze actions around them – to provoke life’, continues alberto biagetti, ‘a view evident in this curio as the designers have imagined a particular scenario, like the set of a film, where the action is about to take place. if in milan NO SEX was a refuge from media-fueled desires, this time it is the ultimate environment for psychological confrontation, the therapist’s studio. the space itself contains all the expected elements, but the deceptively familiar surroundings are not innocently functional but rather tease the viewer, thus provoking new kinds of behavior around the perception of what sexy is, and around the idea of contemporary design.’

patricia findlay, alberto biagetti, and laura baldassari
image © manny hernandez

patricia findlay is psychoanalysed by twins elena and giulia sella
image © manny hernandez

vistors are asked to reveal their associations to the alphabet
image © manny hernandez

‘massage’ daybed
image © james harris

close-up 
image © manny hernandez

lamps using doctor’s iconography
image © manny hernandez

designboom’s editor-in-chief is given the verdict at ‘NO SEX’ miami quiz…. follow your dreams!
image © designboom

twins elena and giulia sella wear pink latex doctor aprons
image © designboom 

shown during milan design week 2016 in its first guise curated by maria cristina didero, the project demonstrates how designers alberto biagetti and laura baldassari decontextualize visual elements to create a short-circuit between the senses of the body, the preconceptions of the mind and the physical reality of the surrounding environment to create unexpected situations to be experienced rather than viewed.

1/12