A unique and thought-provoking exhibition, 'A Bunch of Knobs,' recently captivated audiences at Milan Design Week. Curated by Zaccaria Slater, this project featured 50 imaginative door knob designs, crafted from an array of unconventional materials. From human hair and soap to repurposed climbing grips, each piece transformed an ordinary object into a statement of artistic expression. The exhibition's innovative format, moving across various districts of Milan with a single white door, served as a powerful statement against the prohibitive costs often associated with major design festivals, offering a much-needed platform for emerging design talent to shine without financial burden.

Nomadic 'A Bunch of Knobs' Showcase Reimagines Design Accessibility at Milan Design Week

In a bold move that redefined accessibility in the design world, Zaccaria Slater, a curator based in London and a student at Chelsea College of Arts and Central Saint Martins, spearheaded 'A Bunch of Knobs' during Milan Design Week. Confronted by friends' financial struggles to exhibit, Slater conceived an exhibition compact enough to fit into a carry-on suitcase, thus bypassing exorbitant venue fees. The chosen medium, door knobs, allowed for a vast spectrum of creative interpretations while remaining cost-effective for participants and easy to transport.

Launched through an open call on Instagram, the initiative initially planned for 30 designs but expanded to 50 due to the overwhelming quality of submissions. Each selected designer contributed a modest £20 to cover exhibition costs. Collaborating with fellow designers Cameron Griffin and Mercedes Plazola, and curator Wonjoo Gu, Slater meticulously chose the pieces, which demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship and artistic vision. Noteworthy creations included Alex Lock's 'post-Covid' soap door knob, designed to cleanse hands upon use, Louis Eager's pewter climbing grip handle that invited interaction, Luca Gruber's brass knob referencing the Roman god Janus, and Nao Iyama's playful wooden handle encasing a rolling marble.

Among Slater's personal favorites were Eleanor Murphy's minimalist knob featuring a tactile rubber O-ring and Klinta Locmele's 'Pony Tail' pull, crafted from her sister's hair. Luca Concilia's emotionally charged 'Don't Leave Me Here Alone,' a mace-like knob accompanied by a narrative about the complexities of family life, also deeply resonated. Over five dynamic days, the exhibition traversed key Milanese venues, including the Triennale museum, Brera Design District, and Zona Tortona. Beyond the display, Slater fostered community by producing a limited-edition publication and organizing social events, ensuring designers could forge lasting connections. Inspired by the 'A Seat at the Table' exhibition at London Design Festival, Slater envisions bringing 'A Bunch of Knobs' to London, potentially integrating the designs into a functional gallery installation. This project underscores Slater's commitment to contemporary, critical design that is both socially engaged and broadly accessible, challenging conventional notions of art and commerce within the design landscape.

This innovative exhibition truly highlights the potential for design to be both a creative endeavor and a platform for social commentary. It's inspiring to see how a seemingly small object like a door knob can be transformed into a vehicle for addressing larger issues like affordability and accessibility in major art events. The project not only showcased incredible talent but also fostered a sense of community among emerging designers, proving that creativity thrives when barriers are removed. This initiative offers a compelling blueprint for future design events, encouraging a more inclusive and less commercially driven approach to showcasing art and innovation.