Milan, Divided Layers Invades the Courtyard of Palazzo Senato

16/06/2022 - In Milan, during the Design Week, the courtyard of Palazzo Senato, in via Senato 10, was invaded by Divided Layers, the site-specific installation created by the artist Daniel Arsham for the Kohler brand during the Fuorisalone.

The work, which has been visible and accessible throughout the past week, is an immersive installation, a portal that can be crossed and that has attracted numerous visitors around Milan on the occasion of the Salone del mobile 2022. Kohler’s FuoriSalone exhibition features a large-scale immersive art experience, entitled “Divided Layers,” a site- specific installation that builds upon the duo’s release of Rock.01 – a 3D printed sink Daniel Arsham designed in collaboration with Kohler in 2021.

The immersive installation is made of a series of stacked panels combined to form a walkable tunnel. When developing Rock.01, Arsham was inspired to create Divided Layers to give guests the ability to move through the sink. Each panel references a single plane of the 3D printed clay that layers together to form the sink. 3D printing is a process of additive construction; in contrast, the tunnel is revealing the subtractive in taking away portions to give way to the volume the visitor can walk through. Within the installation, a pond acts as a mirrored surface to double and reflect the opening of the cavernous volume. Arsham intends for visitors to contemplate the acceptance of space and its malleability, understanding the relationship between volumes. The cadence of the walls mimics the rhythm of the columns within the Palazzo, contributing to an entire atmosphere that represents movement or flow.

“The flow of water is experienced in both negative and positive space, regardless of a form’s ‘function’,” says Daniel Arsham. “In Divided Layers, visitors experience being within the sink, rather than a user of a functional piece.” Kohler and Arsham leverage this moment of design and art celebration to announce a multi- year partnership, continuing the exploration of art through form and function. Kohler is honored to continue the brand’s legacy of championing art.

Additionally, in honor of Milan Design Week, Kohler has made a donation to Water Mission’s WASH projects in Indonesia, helping to bring safe water and sanitation to up to 10,000 people through 15 projects in 2022. Through impactful products and inspiring partnerships, Kohler’s Believing in Better platform strives to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations through design, craftsmanship, and innovation.