At the upcoming Milan Design Week 2026, the "Romance of Fragility" exhibition, masterminded by curator Valentina Ciuffi of Studio Vedèt and presented by Delvis (Un)Limited, promises to redefine our perception of glass. This showcase brings together the creations of six distinct designers and studios, challenging the conventional understanding of glass as merely a delicate material. Instead, it highlights how glass, though seemingly fragile, demands careful consideration and reveals unexpected strength and versatility. The exhibition invites attendees to explore the myriad forms and concepts that can be expressed through glass, transforming it from a simple medium into a profound statement on design and our relationship with objects.
Delvis (Un)Limited Debuts "The Romance of Fragility" at Milan Design Week
In a compelling new exhibition, Valentina Ciuffi, founder of Studio Vedèt, presents "The Romance of Fragility" by Delvis (Un)Limited during the prestigious Milan Design Week 2026. The exhibition, running from April 21 to April 26, 2026, at Via Fatebenefratelli 9, 20121 Milano, from 10 am to 7 pm, gathers the imaginative works of six notable designers and design studios: Familiar Form, Serim Kwack, Johan Pertl, Inderjeet Sandhu, Tino Seubert, and Maria Tyakina. Ciuffi emphasizes that the term "fragile" should evoke a sense of care and attention rather than negativity, a philosophy that underpins the entire collection.
The curated selection showcases an impressive range of material expressions. Johan Pertl, based in Prague, presents his "Erosion" side table, a piece inspired by the gradual processes of natural land formation. This design features translucent, rose-hued glass flowing from a white marble base, evoking the appearance of water eroding rock, a striking example of nature's slow artistry captured in a functional object.
Meanwhile, Familiar Form, comprising Myeonga Seo and Marie Kolářová, delves into the rich heritage of Bohemian cut glass. Collaborating with artisans from the Šumava mountains, they breathe new life into leftover sheet glass, meticulously hand-cutting traditional motifs into a series of nested vases using a diamond grindstone. This collection not only celebrates a fading tradition but also repurposes materials with exquisite craftsmanship.
Korean designer Serim Kwack pushes the boundaries of glass art further with her works that resemble ethereal paintings or wall hangings. Utilizing industrial glass panels, Kwack creates delicate impressions of everyday items like headphones and keyboards, embedding ghostly remnants within the glass surfaces, transforming mundane objects into profound artistic statements.
Adding to the diverse display, Inderjeet Sandhu presents his "Merge" candlesticks, and Tino Seubert showcases his "Ferric Glass" floor and table lamps, each contributing to the multifaceted exploration of glass's aesthetic and functional potential. The exhibition's set design, crafted by Space Caviar, a long-term partner of Studio Vedèt, will feature glass bricks within the Via Fatebenefratelli showroom, establishing a cohesive material dialogue with the exhibited pieces.
This initiative by Valentina Ciuffi marks the initial phase of a broader inquiry into fragility. She intends to extend this exploration to other materials, such as paper, and concepts like balance, consistently questioning how we engage with and incorporate these thoughtfully designed objects into our living environments. The exhibition stands as a testament to the transformative power of glass, urging viewers to look beyond its perceived delicate nature and appreciate its profound capacity for expression and its demand for mindful interaction.
This exhibition powerfully illustrates that fragility is not a weakness but a characteristic demanding respect and careful interaction. It makes us ponder how much more we could appreciate the objects in our daily lives if we approached them with the same level of mindfulness and care. The intricate works on display challenge conventional notions, encouraging a deeper engagement with the materials and the stories they tell. Ultimately, it's a reminder that true beauty often lies in the details that require our most gentle attention.