Kia Design returns to Milan Design Week for the third consecutive year, providing a platform for artistic expression and cultural exchange.
Step into a world where art and design collide! Kia Design is turning heads at Milan Design Week 2025 with their latest exhibition, “Opposites United: Eclipse of Perceptions,” held at the Museo Della Permanente from April 7-13. This isn’t just another showcase—it’s a sensory journey that invites you to experience creativity in ways you never imagined.
In collaboration with artistic luminaries like Philippe Parreno and A.A. Murakami, Kia Design is transforming its evolving philosophy into a vibrant cultural exchange. These visionary artists bring their unique flair to the exhibition, creating an interactive space where guests can not only observe but engage with ideas that challenge the way we perceive the world around us.
Since first joining Milan Design Week in 2023, Kia Design has been a champion of blending art with its signature design philosophy, “Opposites United.” This year’s exhibition promises to dazzle, as artists weave experimental works and live performances into a seamless tapestry of contemporary expression. Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just curious, this is your chance to immerse yourself in a celebration of culture, creativity, and bold innovation. Who’s ready to be inspired?
‘The Eclipse’
At the heart of Kia Design’s Milan Design Week 2025 exhibition lies “The Eclipse,” a striking stage designed to captivate and immerse. With tiered seating reminiscent of the Colosseum and content unfolding across a dynamic, layered color system, this space invites visitors not just to watch, but to engage deeply as active participants. It’s about stepping into the performance and interpreting it in a way that’s uniquely personal. The theme draws inspiration from eclipses—celestial phenomena that have fascinated humanity for ages. These awe-inspiring events are symbols of scientific curiosity, cultural significance, and the pursuit of progress. “Opposites United: Eclipse of Perceptions” leverages this symbolism to tell Kia Design’s story of evolution and ambition, expressed through dramatic staging and transformative spatial experiences. Here, every moment sparks reflection, connection, and wonder, turning audiences into integral parts of this extraordinary creative journey.
Philippe Parreno
French artist Philippe Parreno is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in contemporary art over the past 25 years. Known for his versatile use of various media—spanning film, music, sculpture, drawing, and performance—Parreno’s work pushes creative boundaries. He skillfully blurs the lines between reality and imagination, exploring the intriguing space where the two converge. Parreno’s art goes beyond passive observation, inviting audiences to reconsider how they perceive and engage with their surroundings. His thought-provoking creations spark deeper contemplation about the essence of experience and the interplay between the real and the imagined. It’s an invitation to see the world with fresh eyes and question the nature of reality itself.
Marquee
French artist Philippe Parreno redefines tradition with his striking Marquee installation, greeting visitors at the entrance of Kia Design’s Milan Design Week 2025 exhibition. This innovative piece revives the concept of the marquee—historically rooted in cinema facades—and transforms it into a modern cultural statement. Focusing on light and form rather than text, Parreno’s Marquee blurs boundaries between architecture, design, and performance. It’s a dynamic interplay of fleeting light, spatial interactions, and performative illumination, creating an experience that evolves moment by moment. The result? A mesmerizing reflection of how the past and present seamlessly intertwine in contemporary art. It’s not just an object—it’s a living narrative that invites contemplation and engagement.
A.A.Murakami
A.A. Murakami, founded by Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves in 2020, is a trailblazing artistic duo known for crafting immersive installations that seamlessly blend science and art. Their work reimagines technology and fine materials to produce sensory experiences and unique phenomena that captivate and challenge perceptions. The pair’s ongoing Ephemeral Tech series showcases this innovative approach, merging cutting-edge technologies with artistic materials to create deeply engaging works. Their creations have garnered international acclaim, with features at prestigious events such as the Venice Art and Architecture Biennale and permanent displays in iconic institutions like MoMA in New York, the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, and M+ in Hong Kong. Murakami and Groves also helm Studio Swine, an experimental design practice that has earned accolades at major global festivals, including Cannes. Together, they continue to push the boundaries of creativity, making waves in the art world with their daring vision.
The Cave
A.A. Murakami’s The Cave is a breathtaking fusion of ancient and modern creativity. This immersive installation showcases a large-scale robot, embodying state-of-the-art technology, as it interacts with replicas of primitive instruments crafted from ancient animal bones. The combination is both thought-provoking and visually striking, symbolizing the unyielding human drive to create. In this mesmerizing display, robotic limbs emerge from pools of water, activating bellows that channel air through the instruments to produce a hauntingly beautiful soundscape. The contrast between the cutting-edge robotics and the timeless artistry of ancient forms captures the essence of exploration and innovation, inviting visitors to reflect on the enduring power of human ingenuity. It’s a sensory experience that lingers, leaving a deep impression of awe and wonder.
