During Milan Design Week, Wilkhahn presents What the Surface Remembers, an exhibition examining materiality in relation to time, use, and environmental influence. The presentation takes place at Via Madonnina 17 in the Brera district of Milan.
© Wilkhahn
The exhibition centres on the WiChair and steel as a material, using them as a starting point for a broader exploration of permanence and transformation. Positioned between industrial precision and natural patina, the project brings together sculptural and photographic works that reflect how surfaces evolve over time.
Two artistic perspectives form the core of the exhibition. Japanese artist Aya Sasakura presents sculptural works that reinterpret stainless steel as fluid, almost organic forms. Her pieces explore the interaction between light, reflection, and material, emphasising the sensory qualities of steel beyond its industrial context.
In parallel, photographer Frank Schinski contributes a series of images documenting an abandoned house in Tuscany. His work focuses on traces of use and decay, examining how time and human activity become embedded in surfaces. Through this lens, materials are positioned as carriers of memory and narrative.
Together, the works create a dialogue around the lifecycle of materials, connecting physical wear with emotional and experiential dimensions. The exhibition highlights how design objects, through continued use, develop layers of meaning that extend beyond their original function.
What the Surface Remembers forms part of the wider programme across Milan, contributing to ongoing discussions on sustainability, longevity, and the evolving role of materials in contemporary design.
More information:
Wilkhahn
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www.wilkhahn.com
