A 'Cavern' in Milan Made from Ribbons

John Hill

15. April 2015

Photo: Noah Kalina, courtesy of Snarkitecture

Snarkitecture, the art/architecture duo of Alex Mustonen and Daniel Arsham, in collaboration with COS (Collection Of Style), have created an immersive environment where visitors to the Salone del Mobile "are invited to relax, interact and recharge among the chaos of the festival."

Snarkitecture further describes the installation as "resembling the typology of a cave [where] thousands of individually cut ribbons hang in the site, creating both a single undulating mass and individually swaying strips." As the video at bottom shows, the effect is relaxing but also hypnotic at times.

COS, a brand under the H&M Group, describes itself as "merging traditional methods with new techniques and innovative fabrics," and it appears that they have founded a synergistic relationship with Mustonen and Arsham, who were inspired by the fashion house's Spring line but also influenced the same with their design for the ribbon installation. But to see the clothes and accessories – on display in the Brera district's Spazio Erbe until 19 April – visitors will have to leave the calm cavern, which is intentionally free of products.