Makkum Flower Pyramid Preview

Though ICFF always has a few interesting pieces, the Milan Furniture Fair and it's related shows are really where it's at. This year seems to be no exception as the initial sneak peek photos from Milan have begun to drift out. Over the next few days I'll highlight the best of what I can find coming in from the various exhibitions.

One of the shows that looks particularly intriguing is Meta, a collection of work that brings together designers, master craftspeople and top line materials. Meta is billing itself as, "the antithesis of machine-age production." In it, designers have been given full access to work with these skilled artisans to make one of a kind, or limited edition, handcrafted masterpieces.

As part of the exhibition Royal Tichelaar Makkum, a centuries old ceramics company, has teamed up with a group of Dutch designers to re-create 17th century flower pyramids. The company invited Jurgen Bey, Studio Job, Hella Jongerius and Alexander von Slobbe to work with their in-house artisans to create contemporary versions of the centuries old model. The top image is an original 17th century Delft pyramid restored by Makkum, the middle shows a close-up of Jurgen Bey's piece and the bottom is a wax model of the pyramid Studio Job created. The exhibition has not opened yet, but once it does I will share more photos.

The inside scoop is that Murray Moss has booked these pieces to be in his SoHo gallery in May. So perhaps ICFF will be exciting after all...even if it is due to second servings from Milan. (photos from the International Herald Tribune)