Belgian design innovators Muller Van Severen are set to captivate audiences at Milan Design Week with their latest creation: an arresting series of human-scaled aluminium candelabras. This collection, a profound reflection on form and perception, marks a significant moment for the duo, celebrating their artistic journey and collaborative spirit. Each piece stands as a testament to their unique approach to design, where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary through a shift in scale and context. The exhibition, “Silhouettes: Celebrating 15 Years,” promises to be a highlight, offering a fresh perspective on their enduring aesthetic principles.

This innovative showcase coincides with the release of their new monograph, “A Lot of Work,” further enriching the narrative behind their evolution as artists. The collaboration with Tim Van Laere Gallery and publishing house Apartamento underscores a shared vision of exploring the boundaries of contemporary design. Through these monumental candelabras, Muller Van Severen invite viewers to reconsider their interaction with objects, blurring the lines between functional design and fine art. The inclusion of large, colorful candles adds a temporal dimension, emphasizing the transient beauty of their creations and sparking a deeper contemplation on continuity and hope in an ever-changing world.

The Artistic Evolution of Muller Van Severen

Muller Van Severen, a celebrated Belgian design partnership, is presenting an extraordinary exhibition titled “Silhouettes: Celebrating 15 Years” at Milan Design Week. This showcase highlights their distinctive collection of towering aluminum candelabras, which dramatically reinterpret the familiar candlestick form. Developed in collaboration with the Tim Van Laere Gallery and Apartamento publishing house, the exhibition not only marks a significant milestone in their career but also offers a retrospective glimpse into their innovative design philosophy. The pieces on display are a testament to their continuous exploration of scale, material, and the interplay between functional objects and sculptural art, inviting observers to engage with design in a new, thought-provoking manner.

The duo, comprised of Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen, embarked on their collaborative journey in 2011, establishing a reputation for creating sculptural furniture that challenges conventional perceptions of space and object interaction. Their latest collection of human-sized candelabras is a direct outcome of their recent creative endeavors, which also include new candle holders and a series of life-sized lamps. During the curation process for their upcoming monograph, “A Lot of Work,” they identified recurring motifs within their extensive body of work, which subsequently inspired these monumental forms. By isolating and expanding these fundamental shapes, they crafted 15 unique objects that transcend their original utility, transforming into autonomous artistic statements. This approach not only showcases their artistic versatility but also deepens the narrative around their enduring influence in contemporary design.

Reimagining Everyday Objects Through Scale and Symbolism

The core concept behind Muller Van Severen's captivating candelabras lies in their deliberate manipulation of scale. By enlarging everyday objects to human proportions, they intentionally disrupt our habitual perceptions, imbuing these pieces with a fresh presence and autonomy. This shift is particularly evident in their choice of aluminum as the primary material, which lends a uniform consistency to the collection, drawing focus to the intricate shapes, precise proportions, and dynamic compositions of each candelabra. The deliberate decision to use large, vibrantly colored candles further enhances the experience, introducing a “temporal dimension” that is both literal and symbolic. As each candle burns, it initiates a slow, irreversible transformation, making the passage of time an active, sculptural element within the exhibition.

This introspective project represents a significant return to Muller Van Severen’s artistic origins, marking one of the rare occasions where they independently present their work in Milan, free from client collaborations. The creation of these candelabras served as a moment of profound reflection for the designers, allowing them to innovate upon familiar forms and ideas that have characterized their oeuvre. This exploration transcends mere aesthetics, subtly reflecting on the present global context where, amidst challenges, “small points of light can nevertheless suggest a sense of continuity or hope.” Their work continues to evolve, as evidenced by upcoming projects like an exhibition for the Tim Van Laere Gallery in Rome, featuring sculptural wooden cabinets with integrated lighting, further cementing their status as pioneers in the design world.