British sculptor Alex Chinneck has brought his mind-blowing illusions to Italy with an incredible installation in Milan. Concurrently with Milan Design Week, Chinneck has unzipped the facade of a building in what he calls the most ambitious work he has ever made. Along with the incredible exterior, the interior of the building is also filled with several installations which carry through the zipper theme, making for an immersive and cohesive experience.
Collaborating with Philip Morris’ IQOS brand, Chinneck worked to transform the building’s architecture playfully. Using the chunky masonry, typical of Italian architecture, Chinneck made the zipper and “peeled” back a layer of the building to unveil a glowing light that alternates between white and blue.
Chinneck's studio (working with engineers and illustrators) was once again able to manipulate our expectations. Though he has not revealed precisely how he managed to peel back the 56-foot (17-meter) wide facade, a composite of cement and flexible materials have helped him create his illusions in the past.
For his first installation in Italy, Chinneck didn't limit himself to one sculpture. Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by other zippers—one on a wall and the other on the floor.
In a testament to his dedication, Chinneck excavated and repoured the entire cement floor to achieve the circular zipper he was after. White light emanates from behind a zipper sliding down one of the building’s walls to round out the collection of work.
Chinneck’s installation is visible at via Tortona 31 in Milan until April 14, 2019.
Alex Chinneck: Website | Instagram
All images via Marc Wilmot.
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