Milan-based designer Jacopo Foggini is bringing hs unique vision in lighting design to Downtown Design, Dubai for the first time this year, highlighting two outstanding works: Monolite and an outsized version of his iconic piece, Sneeze.
Well-known in Italy's design capital for his large-scale luminous installations, his long-standing cooperation with Edra, and his experimental work with recyclable polycarbonates, Jacopo's design approach demonstrates the power and promise of new materials in creating glass-like chandeliers that are more sustainable, malleable, and scalable than traditional crystal.
Sneeze
This historic chandelier is being presented in a giant, custom format, ideally suited to the region's large-scale residential and commercial properties. It follows a philosophy Jacopo has been perfecting since 1997, creating unique, handmade pieces without the use of moulds, in a process reminiscent of Renaissance craftsmanship.
Sneeze is the perfect example of Jacopo's artistry, capturing his deep exploration of polycarbonate, with its versatility, translucency, and brilliance. He transforms it into innovative new forms that have found homes in projects worldwide, including Dubai. The act of ennobling the material not only gives each piece a unique aesthetic but, in transforming it into a collectible piece, discourages the notion of disposability.
Monolite
Monolite is the newest, most exciting development in Jacopo's oeuvre. As the name suggests, these monolithic walls of polymer are evocative of an otherworldly precious stone. They are in fact inspired by a discovery made with his archaeologist father in 2002 in a cave in the Sahara Desert, which revealed thousands of rock paintings and samples of silica glass. This glass is reimagined by Jacopo, with all its light-capturing qualities and mystery, and made using handcrafted polycarbonate that honors the silica created by the 'big bang.'
This tension between the past and present is joined by the act of creation, one made possible by collaboration with industrial manufacturer Dott.Gallina. Together, they were able to amplify the material's translucency, enabling it to be used for multiple architectural applications both indoors and out—allowing it to be transformed when backlit.
The material was employed by Italian architectural studio Luca Dini to cover both the exterior and interior of a hotel. The customizable potential of the material, including its lightness and reaction to light, makes it the perfect option for cladding, installations, light fixtures, and space dividers. Its vitrification ensures long-lasting durability even in extreme conditions.
'I am thrilled to participate in Downtown Design Week, an extraordinary opportunity to connect within one of the most vibrant and fascinating settings for international design and architecture. Over recent years, I have come to understand the Middle East market, recognizing its uniqueness, growth, passion, and enthusiasm for innovation. The artisanal essence of my work, well-suited to large-scale, site-specific projects, finds in this market a rare opportunity for development, in terms of both creativity and technology,' says Jacopo Foggini.
More information:
Jacopo Foggini
[email protected]
www.jacopofoggini.com