OPEN YOUR MIND Open Your Mind is a design research exhibition displayed during the Salone del Mobile, Milan, a multi-cultural project sponsored by Elmes, the brand through which the Japanese market leader of the door handle sector Union Corporation launches in Europe. You can open and close a door, a window, a book, and millions of other objects. You can also open and close your mind. Partly phisical, partly psychological, emotional and even metaphysical, opening is a multifaceted activity in our daily lives, that also draws value from the association with its natural opposite – the act of closing. Creative directed by Shin Azumi and Gabriele Pezzini, eight designers from different countries and cultural backgrounds have created 13 products that explore the multi-faceted meanings of the act of opening – be these literal, metaphorical, psychological, emotional and cultural. The result is an exhibition that lets the visitor's mind wonder on the theme of opening and closure, leaving room for fantasy and interpretation. A truly multi-cultural exhibition, in which design becomes the driver to gather together different personalities, realities, countries and approaches – all nonetheless focused on research. A part of the exhibition presents the series of door handles by Elmes that fuse Japanese traditional sense of beauty and the influence of Western design. The projects on display: Sebastian Bergne Normally a blind prevents us from seeing the light and the outside world. It is either open, closed or something in between. But in Window Window – mini peeping blind in a blind –, allows us to change our perception of a view by providing a restrictive cinemascope out-out frame thus focusing and altering what we see. Opening a bottle of wine is an act that conjures up images of conviviality. However the design of Corker – three faceted corkstrew –, also works on another level. It is possible to open a bottle with the corkstrew as it is, but after opening two bottles it becomes easier to manipulate, because the two previously used corks function as handles. The object evolves in time as different bottles are opened. Matali Crasset The sliding screen moves along the table top, creating either two separate surfaces, or a longer one. It is possible to use OpenPlatform – modular table with dividing screen, for different activities that need to be kept separate; for instance dining and working. For a convivial meal the screen can be positioned at the very end of the table and even support an extension. Shin Azumi When we open a window the room is filled with fresh air and the room becomes part of the world. In the same way when we turn on a radio, voices and music link us with the world. This is the concept of Radio=Window, radio. The dimmer switch of Shower of light – floor lamp –, lighting system has been transformed into a shower tap. The shape of the tap suggests an obvious and delicate way of controlling the strenght of a current. This small conversion not only invites functional advantages, but also opens our imagination: we feel that we are bathed in light like the water from a showerhead. El Ultimo Grito A vase is by its very nature, closed but Containers in the open &ndash open vases without the bottom. The "vase" thus becomes an open container to be put around outdoor plants and flowers, and marks their living space without forcing them into a closed environment. OpenSpace &ndash extending bag and expanding bag –, surprise us. We can access them from the top and load them with objects. But the most rilevant act of opening happens at the bottom or on the sides, where we can unzip them to transform them into much bigger sacks – very suitable for carrying the shopping. These are basically carrier bags embedded in handbags that give extra freedom and flexibility to the user. Gabriele Pezzini Sunny Day – bench –, allows only one person to sit on it. Its shape invites the user to open his or her arms as if to embrace the whole world in a sunny day. In this way the bench underlines a typical contradiction of the human being. The dressing Ghost – step ladder with textile cover –, does not only play a decorative role, but also a functional one, allowing the ladder to open and close. Vogt+Weizenegger The project Doorway – a light inserts a light in a space –, that was never thought of as in need for illumination. The aim of this design is to use the doorframe to enlighten a person who is entering a new space. The light turns on when you are exactly in the doorframe which provides interactivity. Fabio Bortolani You would naturally think that a zip is there to open but the zips of Zip – carpet with zips – are just there as decoration. Do not open this door – ceiling-hung felt door –, looks like a normal door, but attempting to open it in the traditional way will result in failure. The door actually opens when it is moved sideways, like a curtain. Kazuyo Komoda "Opened" or "closed", doors are normally thought about within these two states of being. With Lace Door – door with swivelling central element –, Komoda wanted to enrich the function and the expression of this element that allows communication to occur between two environments, by also providing the user with quality of life and enjoyment. The expressive design is thus obviously decorative, but also allows air and light to travel between the rooms in new and unexpected ways. Open Your Mind 5th-9th April 2006 Museo Minguzzi Via Palermo, 11 - Milano www.openyourmind-elmes.com www.artunion.co.jp

edited by:  Gabriella Masiello  I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV.   in cooperation with: Catalin Ilie Stroe TOP