Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Takumi Ota | #Milantrace2017
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Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017
Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017
Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017
Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017
Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace | #Milantrace2017
nendo’s ‘Invisible Outlines’ at Jil Sander showroom during Milan Design Week 2017. Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.

 

I think we can all agree Nendo‘s fonder Oki Sato is a freak of nature. We’ve talked about the work of this Japanese practice a number of times on these pages. And no matter how many times I experience the studio’s work first hand, I am never left feeling anything less than awe struck. Nendo’s Invisible Outlines, which was on show during Milan Design Week 2017 at Jil Sander’s showroom in Brera, was no different. The exhibition brought together 16 of the studio’s projects, some old some new, each one exploring what happens when boundaries of objects are blurred or enhanced.

“We tend to perceive the existence and positioning of objects by subconsciously following ‘outlines’, and by distinguishing the ‘inside and outside’ of these contours,” explains Oki Sato. “This also means that objects with obscure outlines cannot always be identified as objects, and conversely if outlines are visible, that information which is not visible can be subconsciously supplemented.”

The exhibition took this fundamental principle into account, and several related ideas were implemented as a theme. The existence of items were blurred by manipulating outlines in various ways, giving viewers an opportunity to recognise existence of items visually in their minds by making invisible outlines visible.

The 16 showcased collections included the following: “Border table” which presents a fragmented contour of rooms; “Trace collection”capturing “traces” of movement; “Un-printed material”, a piece that portrays various forms and expressions of paper through outline; “80 sheets of mountains” which features mountain range using outlines with cut and elongated sheet material; “Objectextile” a collaboration project with Jil Sander, where contours of 3D objects were retrieved and turned into textile; “One Stroke” carpet that appears like a drawing using a black pen on white paper; and “Jellyfish Vase” a new ultra-thin transparent silicon piece that attempts to re-establish the relationship between vase and water with colour boundaries (see little video of the vases in action here).

 

Related Posts:
Highlights From Milan Design Week 2017.

Nendo’s ‘Un-Printed Material’ Exhibition in Tokyo.
Nendo’s Border Table Collection Utilises Corners of Rooms as its Structure.

 

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Takumi Ota | #Milantrace2017

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Takumi Ota | #Milantrace2017

Nendo Invisible Outlines at Jil Sander Milan, Photo © Takumi Ota | #Milantrace2017
‘Objectextile’ by nendo for Jil Sander. Photography © Takumi Ota.

 

The exhibition stretched across seven rooms, each one presented in a pristine all-white setting, with a soundtrack of meditative music playing within each space.

Invisible Lines opened with a conceptual project Nendo undertook for Jil Sander. Oki Sato created five 3D objects – made from vertical lines, squares and dots – which were photographed and then translated into textile patterns that became five prototype dresses. In the end, only the dot pattern was retained and turned into a series of products including T-shirts, sneakers, bags and wallets.

I’ll take one of each, thanks!

 

Related Posts:
Highlights From Milan Design Week 2017.

Nendo’s ‘Un-Printed Material’ Exhibition in Tokyo.
Nendo’s Border Table Collection Utilises Corners of Rooms as its Structure.

 

Team Yellowtrace travelled to Milan courtesy of Cathay Pacific, who fly to Italy several times each week. Cathay’s great connections from Australia allow getting from Sydney to Milan in under 24 hours, including transit times. For more information visit cathaypacific.com.au.

 


[Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Press shots by Takumi Ota, courtesy of nendo.]

 

About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

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