This year’s Design Miami fair, held during Miami Art Week, spotlighted groundbreaking creations by notable designers and artists, including Mathieu Lehanneur, Javier Senosiain, and A$AP Rocky. Curated by New York-based writer Glenn Adamson, the fair embraced the theme of “blue-sky thinking,” highlighting limitless imagination and optimism in design.
A Vision for Optimistic Design
Glenn Adamson, the curatorial director, explained that the theme reflected the “imaginative leap intrinsic to the design practice” and the urgent need for hope amidst challenges. “What makes design different from fine art – or even poetry, music, other disciplines – is that designers need to not only imagine the future, but they need to build it in a very practical way,” Adamson said.
He further emphasized the unique blend of functionality and creativity displayed in the objects showcased at the fair.
Exhibitions Across Diverse Themes
The event, hosted in a tent opposite the Miami Beach Convention Center, featured over 40 galleries and brands. Divided into gallery and curios sections, the space also included special projects and installations scattered throughout.
At the entrance, Mathieu Lehanneur presented a ceramic tulip wall inspired by his design for the 2024 Paris Olympics torch, resonating with the fair’s theme. Nearby, the Haas Brothers exhibited the Strawberry Tree, a massive bronze sculpture adorned with Venetian beads, representing their artistic evolution. “This is where we grew up, inside of Design Miami,” said Nikolai Haas.
Celebrating Innovation and Tradition
American gallery Friedman Benda won the Best Gallery award with its vibrant collection, including tiled furniture by Javier Senosiain and minimalist wooden designs by Formafantasma. In the curios section, Blunk Space from Los Angeles earned the Best Curio award for its salvaged redwood shelves by Rio Kobayashi, inspired by artist JB Blunk’s legacy.
Other highlights included an interactive concrete ping-pong table by James De Wulf and an innovative rubber-crafted chair by India-based Chamar Studio. Additionally, collaborations like Gufram’s space-age multimedia console with A$AP Rocky’s brand Hommemade added a playful edge to the exhibits.
Fashion Meets Design
Fashion brands Fendi and Gufram brought elegance and whimsy to the fair. Fendi showcased patchwork wooden furniture by London-based designer Lewis Kemmenoe, while Gufram’s inflatable skylines captured attention.
The fair also included a multi-sensory installation by Saratoga Spring Water and Pantone, celebrating Saratoga’s signature blue as an official Pantone colour.
Design Miami 2024 ran from December 3 to 8, offering visitors a glimpse into the future of design through creativity, functionality, and optimism.
