Belgian wallcovering brand Arte will present an immersive installation during Milan Design Week 2026 (20–26 April), opening a pop-up city showroom in the Brera district that explores the expressive potential of wall surfaces through material, texture and craftsmanship.
For the installation, Arte collaborates with artist Gabriela de Sagarminaga, founder of Sagarminaga Atelier, creating a scenography inspired by Memphis, the ancient Egyptian capital, and the Memphis design movement. The result is a monochrome spatial experience in which walls move beyond a decorative background to become the central narrative element of the interior.
© Arte
For more than 40 years, Arte has specialised in high-end wallcoverings that combine aesthetic refinement with technical innovation. The Milan presentation highlights the brand's focus on pure materiality, showcasing surfaces crafted from raffia, cork, woven grasses and shells, demonstrating the versatility of contemporary wallcoverings in both residential and hospitality interiors.
"Milan Design Week is the international stage par excellence to show what Arte stands for today," said Philippe Desart, Managing Director of Arte. "With this presentation we want not only to cover walls, but to let them speak through material, texture and imagination."
The installation features life-sized artworks created by Gabriela de Sagarminaga, who translates imagery from ancient Egypt into sculptural pieces made from grass and natural fibres. Her work merges traditional fibre techniques with architectural expression, creating tactile compositions that blur the boundaries between art and interior surfaces.
The collaboration reflects a shared focus on craftsmanship, tactile design and material exploration, positioning wallcoverings as an increasingly important design element within contemporary interiors.
Alongside Arte's installation, Moooi Wallcovering will also present new designs during Milan Design Week as part of the brand's 25th anniversary celebrations. At Superstudio Più, Moooi will introduce reimagined versions of its iconic wallcoverings, including a three-dimensional interpretation of the Menagerie of Extinct Animals, designed to add depth and texture to the brand's narrative-driven interiors.
Arte's pop-up showroom will host an exclusive press preview on 19 April from 15:00 to 20:00 at Corso Garibaldi 65 in Brera.
Through its Milan installation, Arte aims to demonstrate how innovative materials, artistic collaboration and craftsmanship can transform wallcoverings into immersive architectural statements within contemporary interior design.
More information:
Arte
[email protected]
www.arte-international.com
