By Cassandra Pizzey /asdf 13-04-2011

With the most recognizable names in Dutch and international design presenting their latest works at Zona Tortona this year, it was bound to draw a crowd.

First stop in Zona Tortona was a large courtyard where Pieke Bergmans, Tristan Frencken, YL design and Tweelink for Dutch Summer each occupied a space. In a collaboration with LUSTlab, Bergmans presented L.A.M.P. 001/1 - a name almost as thought provoking as the project itself. There were no beautifully, hand-blown glass objects to be found, just a large table covered with desk lamps that seemed to be leading a life of their own.
Named Res Sapiens, the lamps embody a living internet organism, thriving on the constant stream of information provided on the web. The lightbulbs turn on and off, the lamps move and jolt, sometimes in sync, often independently yet aware of one another. Through twitter, visitors are encouraged to interact with the installation.

On to the Royal Academy of Art, the Hague, where a selection of works were presented, each within the theme of 'Nano and Giga'. For instance 'Giant Textiles' in which a series of textile researches were viewable through a magnifying glass, allowing visitors a closer look at the structure of materials; by Wies Preijde, Jolien van Schagen and Remi Veldhoven.

Over on the south side of Via Tortona is where most of the big names hung out. Moooi resided in their own showroom where they presented a number of new designs. Already spotted whilst walking around the various design week areas, Studio Job's Gothic Chair was on show in each of its ten colours. Relative newcomer Sjoerd Vroonland also had his work on display, the Extension Chair is a quirky yet functional representation  of the alternative uses we have for chairs.

Along the road and Richard Hutten had two new pieces to present: his Pin-Up hanging lamp for Brand van Egmond, so named because of the pin-up-shaped cut outs strategically incorporated into the design; and the Zuiderzee chair which will soon be taken into production by relative newcomers to the scene NgispeN. Founded by office furniture design company Gispen, its younger brother has a great cross section of Dutch designers such as Jurgen Bey, Maarten Baas and Ontwerpers.nu.

Click on the images to enlarge

Main image: Studio Job for Moooi
Other images: 1. YL design 2. Pieke Bergmans and LUSTlab 3. 'Giant Textiles' 4. Brand van Egmond 5. NgispeN

All images photographed in Milan

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