The Triumph of Light and Ultralightness: Zieta Studio in Milan
The 62nd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano was a vibrant, carefully orchestrated experience. The energy and the buzz, the dazzling press lights, and the sheer volume of inspiration filled us with pride and charged our batteries for another year of creative work. Our latest iterations from Zieta Studio — brighter, lighter, and more sustainable — received an extremely positive response. An incredible few days of experiencing colours, contexts, and shapes. Days of inspiring discussions about a sustainable future, illustrations, and upcoming projects. Let’s relive the excitement once more.
The Grandeur of Light
The most captivating theme in this year’s Zieta Studio exhibition in Milan was undeniably light. A brand-new concept of reflection-based architecture was unveiled. Objects from Zieta’s lighting collection delicately illuminated the dedicated zone, leading visitors through a story of the power and potential of reflections on polished steel surfaces. In this narrative of fascination with light, the 3-metre-long linear Blade took centre stage, accompanied by the Harmonica, Lampin, and Luna constellations. Object and light blended provocatively in the illuminated versions of Zieta’s mirrors from the Aurum collection. The debuting Rondo 200 Gold Light and the striking Tafla C in Rose Gold stole the spotlight.
Form, Art and Tribute
The tables from Zieta Studio told stories of steel’s strength, geometry, and brutalism. The hefty, cylindrical bases of the Parova table contrasted with the bionic parametric design of the G-Table. The Parova coffee tables were a striking and sentimental touch, and in their Corten steel versions paid tribute to the great Richard Serra. Nearby, subtly observing the Parova scene, was the J-Chair, another homage piece — the first black version a nod to Władysław Strzemiński’s Flat Construction (Breakage of a Black Rectangle).
“What interests me is the opportunity for all of us to become something different from what we are, by constructing spaces that contribute something to the experience of who we are.”
~ Richard Serra
Technology and Monomateriality
No Zieta Studio exhibit would be complete without seating, headlined by the classic PLOPP stool, which debuted at the SaloneSatellite in Milan in 2007. It was then that Oskar Zięta began his metal revolution in the design scene, showcasing his years of research into steel stabilization at ETH Zurich. Today, at Zieta, using his proprietary technology of internal pressure steel deformation (FiDU), we create sculptures and art installations that captivate the senses. Objects like Chippensteel, J-Chair, and the iconic PLOPP manifest a fascination with the material and lead through unexpected forays into craftsmanship, art, and architecture.
Reflections, Refractions, Metal
The primary narrators of reflections were, of course, Zieta’s mirrors. Tafla Inox in a unique constellation and the hypnotic Mercury in Dark Matter finish were showstoppers. The wall compositions of Kamyki subtly multiplied the marvel, while the Bolid hinted at a new era of mobility. Amidst the decorative accents and accessories completing Zieta Studio’s Milanese composition, the Zieta vases took centre stage. The collection delighted the senses, reflecting botanical themes in its polished surfaces. The intriguing Karava, the brutal Crash, and the geometric Parova added diversity. To cap off this wide range of potential from the studio and provide a distinct sculptural accent, there was the Crystals Totem —translating sound into steel geometry.
“I consider space to be a material. The articulation of space has come to take precedence over other concerns. I attempt to use sculptural form to make space distinct.”
~ Richard Serra
Ultralight Narratives
The ultralight zone showcased the Ultraleggera family, in terms of both complete objects and their individual components. This zone told a story of advanced studies on ultralightness, and realization at the conceptual, process, and production levels. It was a story of constant reduction in real object weight, reduced consumption of materials and energy, and even of the virtual space needed for data storage. This was a detailed narrative about the idea of “less is less” — using less, wanting less, and consuming less.