Design Miami Increases Exhibitors but Wins A Smaller Public Than Art Miami

Design Miami opened with its vernissage last night and 50% more participants than in precious years. This time there are new galleries from South Africa and Brussels as well as the usual exhibitors from Europe and the US at the fair running through December 4.

Designer of the Year David Adjaye’s elegant seating structure marks the entrance to the fair. The galleries inside feature both celebrated 20th-century designers including Jean Prouve, and Charles and Ray Eames. Norman Foster has re-created the Dymaxion “death” car of Bucky Fullerat Design Miami. And not to be outdone are the works of 21st-century international

Hella Jongerius's 300 porcelain vases

designers such as David Weisman and the Dutch superstar Hella Jongerius. Pivotal New York retailer Moss’s entire booth features the “Emergent design” process of Dr. Haresh Lalvani complete with computer video and wall drawings illustrating works such as his laser-cut steel platters.

Moss brought laser-cut steel works and wall drawings to Design Miami

As usual, a number of works such as Beth Katleman’s wall of porcelain vignettes, beg the difference between design and art.

There were few people in the exhibition on the second day, and few surprises among the objects on view. The most interesting aspect of the fair is the on-going “performance,” sponsored by FENDI, of designers Elisa Strozyk and Sebastian Neeb using discarded scraps of FENDI leather on pieces of antique 18th-century furniture- glorious mashups of time and cultures.

It is always interesting to see that design, which often has the advantage of being functional, nonetheless brings in far lower prices, sales, and collectors than the contemporary art across the street.