A swirling shower of colorful petals seen from the busy street, happily signifying spring, unveils a sneak peek into Hana-arashi, Robina Benson Design House’s inaugural exhibit, on display at their new Soho location. One of New York City’s most highly anticipated galleries, Robina Benson provides a welcoming backdrop for the exhibition from Japanese design house Nendo and Italian brand Paola Lenti, lending their whimsical vision to the blank canvas. Hana-arashi pulls on the tenuous themes of impermanence, movement, and balance. Inspired by gusts of cherry blossoms, petals in flight, this exploration in textile manipulation exemplifies what the designers do best, fusing organic shapes with unique material sculpting. The gallery was a delightful objet d’art display of chairs, poufs, lamps, tables, and baskets swathed in colorful mesh fabric, nestled among the cascade of blooms.
The exhibition’s name Hana-arashi translates to “petals of sakura flowers dancing in the wind” – now reimagined as slips of fabric suspended on strings, fluttering through the air. Amongst the “petals,” a series of furniture comes alive with textured and quilted textiles that form generous curves through its heft, giving each piece a satisfying weighted look.
Nendo’s Oki Sato utilized textile offcuts from Paola Lenti’s recyclable mono-material – Maris – which is made from two layers of fabric fused together. The Maris material, which comes in 180 colorful options, is typically used for Lenti’s outdoor furniture. Offcuts from the production process are reclaimed and utilized here, giving a second chance to scraps typically discarded. Reducing environmental impact while celebrating a multitude of color, Lenti and Sato forge a design relationship that plays on the other’s strengths, exploring how we emotionally connect with hue and movement. Each piece carefully crafted from upcycled Maris material, Sato says of the process, “An idea stays as an idea without craftsmanship.”
On white, slightly raised platforms, the biomimetic objects emerge: quilted flaps of sturdy layered fabric, placed on top of each other or folded to create dynamic forms. A capsule-shaped texture dots the material, resembling cellular structures. Some cells are emblazoned with varying colors, with sides of the quilted structure revealing a different palette.
Each object features different colors by nature of the source material, allowing once-discarded fabric to shine again. The weight and texture of the furniture among the amorphous shapes of the petals flitting about creates gentle movement among solid forms. This adds an organic feeling to the space, a humble pursuit to bring the outside in. “We envisioned the Soho gallery as a creative haven, a place where design transcends function to become art,” said Robina Benson, founder of Robina Benson Design House. “With Hana-arashi, we invite guests to explore the harmony between contemporary design and poetic expression. This concept is a tribute to the ever-changing energy of Soho and the artistry that defines our brand.”
Nendo, meaning clay, stems from the mind of Oki Sato, visionary designer of creative products spanning multiple decades and industries. Noting Issey Miyake as one of his influences, he is quoted as saying, “Design is about making decisions. A person can only make a certain amount of decisions each day, it’s really important to keep your mind empty.” In an era of data saturation and decision overload, Sato’s words ring true in design and in life.
Paola Lenti debuted in 1994 with a rug collection, subsequently expanding into fine furniture for indoors and out. Materials technology meets crisp lines, with a color sensitivity that really takes the brand to the next level. With endearing details that evoke warmth, Paola Lenti blends sustainability and style, ushering in the next generation of furniture.
To learn more about the Hana-arashi exhibition at Robina Benson Design House, please visit nendo.jp or paolalenti.it.
Exhibition photography by Marco Petrini.
Studio photography by Sergio Chimenti.
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