From Killjoys to Joys' Sparks

Istituto Svizzero Milano, Milan, 2024
Istituto Svizzero façade decorated with Killjoy blankets, Milan Design Week 2024

Description


During Milan Design Week 2024, Pisoni-Lab and Fatima Wegmann Guinassi unveiled the installation From Killjoys to Joys’ Sparks at Istituto Svizzero, a Swiss cultural center dedicated to promoting artistic and scientific research. This immersive project explored "joy" as an act of resistance and a deliberate political stance, drawing inspiration from the killjoy figure described by feminist theorist Sara Ahmed—someone who challenges social conventions and fights against discrimination.

Killjoy Lion blanket on the wall under drapes, next to a speaker
Room with a Killjoy blanket on the wall, large cushions on the floor and disco balls
Velvet and satin cushions piled on the floor, installation detail
Drapes hanging from the ceiling and a disco ball, Pisoni–lab installation
Extra Long cushions on the floor under disco balls
Detail of a silver satin and blue velvet cushion

Concept


The space, designed as a place for exchange and reflection, featured large feather cushions and blankets adorned with flame-breathing animals—the killjoys. These animal figures drew inspiration from the mosaics by artist Alberto Salvioni (1915-1987) at the entrance of the Istituto. Subtle light effects evoked the sparks of joy, offering visitors a sensory and thought-provoking experience.

The sound installation Godspeed by Fatima Wegmann Guinassi added another dimension, imagining a joyful and sensual future inspired by science fiction.

Killjoy Aries blanket on the wall, cushions on the floor and disco balls
Disco ball and light reflections under a drape
Killjoy Bear blanket in a window of the Istituto Svizzero

Process

Passer-by in front of the Istituto Svizzero façade and its mosaic floor
Setting up the installation: hanging from the ceiling on a stepladder
Sketch of two views of the installation
Colourful light projections on the walls during set-up
Colour sketch of the installation with cushions and blankets
Two people stuffing the large cushions in the workshop
Coloured satins with Pisoni–lab labels, cushion materials
Floor plan of the Istituto Svizzero exhibition space
Perspective line drawing of the installation
View of the installation with drapes, black rug and disco balls
Visitors in the From Killjoys to Joys' Sparks installation

Informations

Date

15.04.2024 – 21.04.2024

Place

Istituto Svizzero, Milano

Client

Istituto Svizzero

Themes

Design, Installation, Music

Objets

CoussinExtraExtraLong
Pisoni–lab Extra Extra Long cushion in purple velvet and satin, curved on a white background
One of a KindCHF 250.00
ExtraExtraLongCushion
Pisoni–lab Extra Extra Long cushion in blue velvet and silver satin, curved on a white background
One of a KindCHF 250.00
ExtraLongCushion
Pisoni–lab Extra Long cushion in blue velvet and orange satin, on a white background
One of a KindCHF 220.00
ExtraLongCushion
Pisoni–lab Extra Long cushion in purple velvet, orange satin and silver satin, on a white background
One of a KindCHF 220.00
See All

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