OBJECTS ARE BY x Babybrush: presented Zurich Visions at Milan Design Week (Salone del Mobile)

On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2024 (Salone del Mobile), OBJECTS ARE BY presented an immersive installation that redefined traditional design boundaries. The installation, designed by OBJECTS ARE BY’s Creative Director, Phil America, featured a large, reflective chrome vase—a striking reinterpretation of the brand’s iconic ceramic designs—set against a fully mirrored floor. Inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s reflective works, which challenge perceptions of space and self and predate today’s selfie culture, the installation served as a modern homage to Kusama’s bold artistic interventions. Drawing further inspiration from Kusama’s famous Venice Art Biennale 1993 installation, the OBJECTS ARE BY exhibition invited guests to engage with art in a way that blurred the lines between viewer, object, and space, emphasizing the fluid interplay of identity, surroundings, and art.

At the heart of this immersive experience was the highly anticipated Zürich Visions collection, designed by Swiss fashion designer and artist Babybrush. The collection features a porcelain airbrushed dining set that skillfully merges tradition and modernity, embodying OBJECTS ARE BY’s ethos of blending diverse cultural influences with sustainable, future-conscious production methods. Crafted in Vietnam as a tribute to co-founder Jenny D. Pham’s heritage, each piece is made with 100% vegan and bone-free fine china, showcasing the brand’s commitment to ethical, low-impact design. The pieces are adorned with Babybrush’s signature airbrushed artwork, a style that has garnered attention in collaborations with major names like Off-White and Doja Cat. Alongside this, the Season 01 collection was also showcased, presented on chrome sculptural display stands designed by interior architect Bogdan Martoiu, further elevating the immersive and reflective space.

Held in a private venue within Milan’s Porta Venezia district, the exhibition demonstrated OBJECTS ARE BY’s ability to push creative boundaries while honoring craftsmanship and rich cultural narratives. The event garnered coverage in major publications such as The New York Times, Wallpaper, Monocle, and Corriere Della Sera Living, reinforcing OBJECTS ARE BY’s mission to reshape the future of design by blending tradition and innovation through transformative collaborations.