From Killjoys to Joy's Sparks
Istituto Svizzero Milano, Milan, 2024
A building that has a bunch of windows on it

Description


During Milan Design Week 2024, Pisoni-Lab and Fatima Wegmann Guinassi unveiled the installation From Killjoys to Joys’ Sparks at Istituto Svizzero, a Swiss cultural center dedicated to promoting artistic and scientific research. This immersive project explored "joy" as an act of resistance and a deliberate political stance, drawing inspiration from the killjoy figure described by feminist theorist Sara Ahmed—someone who challenges social conventions and fights against discrimination.

A painting hanging on a wall next to a speaker
A room filled with lots of pillows and a painting on the wall
A group of inflatables are laying on the floor
A large piece of art hanging from the ceiling
A person laying on a mat in a room
An inflatable object floating on top of a body of water

Concept


The space, designed as a place for exchange and reflection, featured large feather cushions and blankets adorned with flame-breathing animals—the killjoys. These animal figures drew inspiration from the mosaics by artist Alberto Salvioni (1915-1987) at the entrance of the Istituto. Subtle light effects evoked the sparks of joy, offering visitors a sensory and thought-provoking experience.

The sound installation Godspeed by Fatima Wegmann Guinassi added another dimension, imagining a joyful and sensual future inspired by science fiction.

A room with a rug and a painting on the wall
A ball is floating in a pool of water
A picture of a person on a skateboard in front of a building

Process

A person walking past a building with a sign on it
A man standing on a ladder painting a picture on a wall
A drawing of two different views of a room
A room with a lot of lights on the wall
A drawing of a living room with a couch
A couple of people that are in some water
A pile of different colored clothing with labels on them
A drawing of a room with a drawing on the wall
A line drawing of a room with chairs
A living room with a couch and a black rug
A group of people standing in a room

Informations

Date15.04.2024 – 21.04.2024
PlaceIstituto Svizzero, Milano
ClientIstituto Svizzero
ThemesDesign, Installation, Music

Objets

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