Charles Burnand Gallery brings sensory design to Miami with 'Haptic Horizons'

Design Miami 2024 welcomes a captivating new exhibition by UK-based Charles Burnand Gallery, titled Haptic Horizons: Design in the Hands of Artists, on view from December 3 - 8, 2024. This sensory-driven showcase brings together contemporary designers such as Heechan Kim, Jan Waterston, Yanxiong Lin, Dawn Bendick, Ian Milnes, DEGLAN, Mia Jung, Studio Furthermore, Kyeok Kim and Jean-Gabriel Neukomm.

Set against the backdrop of Miami’s vibrant design scene, Haptic Horizons invites audiences to explore objects at the intersection of materiality, craftsmanship and technology, exploring "the future of materials, the progressive use of these elements, and the enduring importance of the artist’s hand in shaping our tactile world," as the design gallery relays. The featured works range from monumental sculptures to sculptural product designs and delicate lighting installations, each offering a tactile experience that redefines traditional notions of form and function.

Studio Furthermore's Diode Dining Table, crafted from recycled aluminium car wheels, exemplifies the design exhibition's ethos. This striking piece blends organic inspiration with futuristic design, challenging viewers to rethink sustainability and material reuse. Meanwhile, Heechan Kim, a LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize finalist, presents his Untitled 17, 18 and 19, where wood veneer transforms into otherworldly forms, merging natural materials with sculptural innovation.

Kyeok Kim's Second Skin series further elevates the theme of Haptic Horizons, showcasing copper wire side tables that appear both solid and fragile, and blending monolithic strength with intricate craftsmanship. Each furniture design piece evokes a sensory dialogue between sight and touch, embodying the exhibition's 'haptic' focus. Jean-Gabriel Neukomm adds another dimension with his vine-like chandeliers, marrying textured steel with hand-blown Murano glass to create luminous, ethereal forms.

These works are complemented by Ian Milnes' Broken Tulips pendants, which fuse wood veneers and resin into experimental lighting designs and Dawn Bendick's Time Rock sculptures, which use dichroic glass to play with light and perception. Together, these pieces demonstrate a shared commitment to pushing the limits of design while maintaining a deep respect for material origins. A study in form and materiality, DEGLAN's monumental dining table features anthropomorphic, spine-like details that protrude from the tabletop, fabricated entirely from plaster and wood.

Haptic Horizons also nods to traditional craftsmanship, as seen in Yanxiong Lin's works. His collection, A Window to the Past, uses materials such as Washi paper and Urushi lacquer to craft objects transcending time, linking the past and present through their design language. Mia Jung's contributions bring a refined sensibility, emphasising the intimate connection between the artist and the material.

The exhibition is curated with a keen eye for sustainability, a hallmark of Charles Burnand Gallery's ethos. Founded by Simon Stewart and based in London’s Fitzrovia Design District, the gallery champions sustainable design practices while highlighting the artistry of its diverse roster. Haptic Horizons marks the gallery's latest venture in bringing innovative, sustainable design to a global audience.

Through this dynamic presentation at Design Miami this year, Haptic Horizons invites visitors to engage deeply with the materials and processes that shape contemporary design. It's a celebration of the enduring importance of the artist's hand, even as technology and innovation redefine the field. As Stewart puts it, "This exhibition is about the intersection of tradition and innovation. Each piece tells a story of material transformation, showing how craftsmanship can evolve while staying rooted in its origins."

Haptic Horizons is an experience that challenges viewers to see, touch and feel the future of design. By bringing together a diverse group of artists, Charles Burnand Gallery offers a sensory-rich journey that bridges the tactile and the conceptual, the traditional and the avant-garde. Visitors to Design Miami 2024 will leave not just inspired but with a renewed appreciation for the craftsmanship and creativity that continue to shape our physical world.