Baranzate Ateliers unveils William Guillon’s design accessories at MDW 2024

Zaventem Ateliers, an industrial heritage of Milan, was founded by Lionel Jadot, a Belgian artist, designer, and interior designer. Zaventem Ateliers introduced Baranzate to promulgate their philosophy by providing a platform for Belgian designers and artists to showcase their creations and projects. Seeking this aim, Zaventem Ateliers also participated in the 2022 edition of Milan Design Week, showcasing the distinguished works of designers and artists.

For its second appearance at the Milan Design Week 2024, Zaventem Ateliers captivates attendees by presenting under Baranzate Ateliers, a lineup of 35 studios, including 15 specially curated guests bringing together contemporary excellence in collectable design. William Guillon, a Bordeaux-based art director and designer, presents a range of handmade bronze design pieces in his first solo exhibition at the design week. Since the inception of his studio, Guillon has been recognised for his noted collections of sculptures, some of which he unveils in the design exhibition.

‘Enjoy the Silence’

Working on the project with the client, Guillon decided to transform a luggage rack into a hybrid and evocative piece. The result is a sculptural bronze bench entirely hand-carved. Its wooden seat and wide proportions make it easy to place suitcases on it while still being able to sit on the side. Guillon’s radical, romantic neo style is instantly recognisable and adds a brutally elegant character to the bedroom.

‘Dèsenchantèe’

Guillon wanted to transcribe in this collection the lyrics of the song Désenchantée by the French artist Mylène Farmer. To enhance its effect, Guillon used solid oak which he textured to the extreme, burning and brushing it numerous times. The bronze feet of the table design, as always hand-sculpted, and gradient give the impression of floating and bring a certain tension to the whole.

‘Beautiful People’

Guillon created this bronze mirror patinated, altered, and inviting to an introspective journey. Both the reflective part and frame are made in bronze which gives a very special effect to the reflection. This piece appears to be evocative of an altar from another time, another world.

‘LV426’

The furniture designer has been obsessed with space and science-fiction ever since he was a child thus, he named this piece LV426 which refers to the name of a planet visited by the crew in an alien movie. Each lighting design in this collection is sculpted by hand by the artist before it is cast in bronze in a French foundry. All the pieces are unique and their shapes and finishes can be adapted and customised on demand. The collection includes horizontal and vertical chandeliers as well as a sconce.

‘Sweet Thing’

With this collection, Guillon marks a turning point not only in the way the objects are made but also in the nature of the production itself. Each piece is sculpted by hand by the artist before it is cast in bronze in a French foundry. This texture developed by Guillon is the outcome of a special process which evokes for him a sense of amusement reminiscent of the sci-fi movies of his childhood. The lamp designs are all numbered and signed, and the creative procedure is restarted from the beginning for each object, making them unique pieces.

‘Omnia Vanitas’

Omnia Vanitas (All is vanity) is a way for Guillon to explore and experiment around themes of the emptiness of existence and the impermanence of all things. By creating a set of accessories that he calls Vanities, he prompts us to question the place occupied by objects in our lives and the traces we leave on earth.

‘Ashes to Ashes’

Ashes To Ashes collection is an echo of the Collapse collection, using the same shapes and effects of imbalance. For this series of candlesticks and chandeliers, Guillon chose burnt wood and solid metal. The solid wood is burned before it is varnished and put together with great care with the bronze.

These innovative explorations by Guillon that reside at the intersection of sculptural art and product design take the stage at Baranzate Ateliers during the design fair in Milan. His radical and organic creations, speaking of unconventional beauty, push the limits of traditional craftsmanship—luring the viewers with their strange elegance.

Stay tuned to STIR's coverage of Milan Design Week 2024 which showcases the best of exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands and events to look out for. Explore EuroCucina and all the design districts—Fuorisalone, 5vie Design Week, Isola Design Week, Brera Design District and Porta Venezia Design District.