December 2024 | Art & Culture
a SERENE PAUSE at ALCOVA MIAMI
- SOMETHING LAST -
words Alp Tekin
Undoubtedly, one of the standout stars of Miami Art Week will be the second Miami edition of Alcova, the forward-thinking contemporary design platform typically showcased during Milan Design Week. Among the highlights of Alcova's new Miami edition is Something Last, a must-see exhibition curated by Los Angeles-based designer Jialun Xiong. This meditative design showcase offers a rare moment of tranquility amid Miami’s vibrant art scene, featuring works by emerging artists and designers Cindy Hsu Zell, Devin Wilde, Jialun Xiong, Mary Ratcliffe Studio, Vy Voi Studio, and Xiaoyan Wei.
Focusing on timeless visual expressions, Something Last distills design to its purest elements: form, point, line, light, and shadow. From handcrafted wooden furniture to porcelain lighting, architectural ceramics to metal fixtures, the exhibition unites each designer's discipline through the soothing repetition of these fundamental components. The absence of color eliminates distractions, underscoring the themes of purity and simplicity.
Adding to the immersive experience, Something Last is accompanied by curated soundscapes by Silence Please and custom-scented candles by Studio/JIALUN XIONG.
EXHIBITION ID
STUDIO / JIALUN XIONG – Los Angeles
This Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary design studio explores the ideas of duality and creative restraint across spatial, furniture, lighting, and object design.
CINDY HSU ZELL – Los Angeles
Growing up near the San Gabriel Mountains, Cindy Hsu Zell studied fine arts and animation at the University of Southern California. Her Mythos collection of ceramic wall sculptures, showcased at Alcova Miami, draws on ancient storytelling through the use of fundamental forms and materials.
DEVIN WILDE – Brooklyn, NY
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, artist and ceramicist Devin Wilde’s work reflects an eclectic mix of styles, including Art Deco, Classicism, and Postmodernism. Exploring the relationship between form and shadow, Wilde focuses on the interplay of light to create drama and evoke both ancient and modern sensibilities.
MARY RATCLIFFE STUDIO – Toronto, Canada
Based in Toronto, Mary Ratcliffe Studio is dedicated to creating contemporary works with meticulous attention to detail, quality, and longevity.
VY VOI – NY & Vietnam
Vy Voi is a design studio founded by industrial designer and ceramic artist Steffany Trần, with bases in New York and Sài Gòn, Vietnam. The studio focuses on objects, lighting, and furniture design.
WEI XIAOYAN STUDIO – Shanghai, China
Wei Xiaoyan Studio specializes in spatial design, installations, and artistic furniture. By merging traditional Chinese craftsmanship with contemporary design, the studio reimagines concepts of time and eternity through experimental yet functional art pieces that explore the hidden power of materials and light.
* ALCOVA MIAMI LOCATION: Miami River Inn, 118 SW South River Dr, Miami, FL 33130
