PHILIA and Shifting Vision present Future Relics, an exhibition taking place at the 16th-century Palazzo Corsini al Prato, in the heart of Florence. In collaboration with researchers and academics specialized in the Medici archives, the selected designers have delved into the vast archival holdings of Renaissance Florence to explore the concept of a ‘future relic’. The relics of Medici Florence, ranging from precious objects in the Treasury of San Lorenzo to exotic treasures from global connections, serve as touchstones for this exploration. Examining the local craftsmanship and diverse techniques of the time, the project challenges artists to draw inspiration from the past while creating contemporary works that resonate both locally and globally, symbolically and conceptually.
The Element Chair reinterprets the throne of Cosimo de Medici, and embodies the natural elements – Earth, Water, Air and Fire to the chair. The four elements are symbolized by the Chinese jade stones, placed at the bottom of the base. Through the balance between ancient materials and modern techniques, the chair expresses the continuity between East and West, past and present.
For the "Future Relics" initiative, kar conceptualized a chair that melds the signature techniques: hand-sculpted clay modelling and fiberglass forming. The design offers a quiet nod to the thrones of the Medici, as chairs have long been emblematic of power, from the Italian Renaissance to the analogous era in China's Ming Dynasty. The Medici thrones, much like Ming-style furnishings, exhibit a comparable sophistication in their structure, especially in the tall backs and arms, radiating an air of dignity and grace. This reimagined design represents an abstracted and deconstructed interpretation of such a symbol of authority.
