Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of culture, cafés and young designers, Ingo Maurer is incorporating amorphous textures, flowing forms and organic elements into an outdoor installation in the centre of Via Tortona this year. In the BASE cultural centre, the FLOWAIR installation winds its way through the inner courtyard, up the fire escape and onto the roof, offering a spectacle of light and colour in the wind both by day and by night.
Inflated shapes and the interplay of form, colour and light
In the FLOWAIR installation, Ingo Maurer explores the theme of inflated shapes and skilfully plays with form, colour and light to create a visual experience. During the day, visitors experience a variety of objects that are set in motion by the use of wind machines and the natural wind. At night, the light component is added: a play of different LED light colours, which enhances the surprising from the same perspective, creates a "scent of light".
The art of wind and movement
The open-air installation consists of elements up to 10 metres high that alternately inflate and contract slowly, using the energy of the wind to dance in the breeze and create a ballet of light. The trumpet-like structures distort the scale and create the illusion of diminutiveness. Ingo Maurer mixes structure and wind to create patterns of movement and light, visualising the invisible flow of air through a carefully designed orchestra of objects.
Bringing nature into the urban space
With light as a material, Ingo Maurer is used to working with the unimaginable and incomprehensible. The lighting design brand wants to remind people of the forgotten movements of air and their significance, especially in the busy environment around BASE. The FLOWAIR installation offers visitors the opportunity to engage with Ingo Maurer's thought-provoking creation in a dynamic outdoor environment. The story and concept behind the Gesamtkunstwerk are deliberately left open to interpretation. The experience of light and immateriality allows Ingo Maurer to capture atmospheric impulses and bring the wind back into people's consciousness.
BASE Milano location - an invigorating place
With the choice of location, Ingo Maurer has remained true to his vision of recent years of "creating a unique exhibition tailored to the location". Following last year's outdoor installation and exhibition on the Porta Nuova traffic island, Ingo Maurer has found a strong partner for Milan Design Week 2024 in the BASE culture and design centre.
