Functional art unfurls at Mix Brussels as 'Curated' by designer Lionel Jadot

The plight of globalisation overshadowing the sensitive and interventional qualities of locality and craft prodded self-taught interior designer Lionel Jadot to curate a collectible design exhibition replete with furniture, light fixtures, sculptures, tapestries, curtains and other accessories. Titled Curated, the show runs from October 11 - 13, 2024, in its first edition at the Mix Brussels hotel in Brussels, Belgium, and features 44 designers, artists and architects from various regions. Their presented works bridge global perspectives with the intricate nuances of artisanal craftsmanship, during a residency weekend filled with food, music and DJ sets.

Open and accessible to all, this design exhibition takes centre stage at the formerly named La Royale Belge, a historic masterpiece of 1960s brutalist architecture that has been recently renovated by Jadot into Mix Brussels, a multifaceted hotel blending hospitality, art, and design.

In its programme, Curated engages in a tête-à-tête with the hotel's architectural features. "From expansive open areas to intimate rooms, the exhibition will showcase how functional art can enhance our surroundings," mentions the official press release. Reflecting on his experience and curatorial approach, Jadot remarks, "When I'm in a hotel, I like to be projected into something that surprises me. Today, the customer is ready to accept different, unique furniture lines rather than products from the other side of the world."

Below, STIR shares a glimpse of some of the presented works of functional art and product designs at Curated.

Lathe III by Belgian designer Davy Grosemans' ÆTHER/MASS studio reimagines the classical turned leg to craft stool designs, side tables and pedestals. Utilising the lathe tool, these pieces of wooden furniture achieve a striking symmetry coalescing tradition with innovation.

Beam, another exhibit by the contemporary design studio features a beam of light carving a hooked path through the air, seemingly rising from the ground. Recently showcased at the Crafting Connections exhibition, the lamp design's polished stainless steel body mirrors its surroundings, giving it an elusive quality that enhances the light it emits. The studio will also present Exposure, an open cabinet crafted in solid oak wood; Forge, a steel candelabra finished in black beeswax; and the Aperture table design with latticework in solid waxed aluminium.

The Ren collection by Antwerp-based textile designer Nathalie Van der Massen features three limited-edition dividers—SAN, SAI, and DAN—crafted from natural materials such as walnut, linen and paper. The textile frames rummage through the intricacies of rhythm and transparency to strike a balance between art, design and architecture. While the SAN divider seamlessly weaves fabric into four walnut panels, the SAI and DAN dividers, explore minimalism by allowing woven textures to interact with their two-fold frames. Together, these dividers serve as both functional and artistic elements that enhance interior spaces.

An ethereal screen and a nest-like seating is also displayed at Curated as part of French design collective Studio mo-mo's OOI collection. The former exhibit GLYPHE, designed by France-based textile artist Margot Graziani, explores texture through its composition of paper fibre, linen, wicker, rush and straw in natural soothing colours. The later, CALISSON by French sculptor Pia Chevalier and basketry expert Victorine Soulard, stands out as a fusion of ceramic, wicker and wood. The collection merges raw materials with refined surfaces, honouring the artistry and craftsmanship that defines the studio's vision.

Ghent-based lighting designer Boris Pellegroms showcases decorative brass wall lamps that combine craftsmanship and functionality. The lamp WL03, featuring a minimalist circular design and glossy finish, offers dimmable lighting in a sleek form to create a warm ambience. Meanwhile, the cylindrical WL02 adds versatility to the exhibition space with its adjustable light, allowing an effortless transformation of the spaces it is placed within.

London-based ceramic art studio Boquita de Cielo's three-dimensional art installation is a conversation between materiality and artistry, where each ceramic tile is hand-cut, sculpted and glazed. The studio's signature, in-house developed natural glazes conflate layers and textures, creating a rich, tactile experience. The varying hues of the ceramic tableau evoke an intimate dialogue between form and function, showcasing the Belgian designers Koen Meersman and Kris Scheerlinck’s fascination with the alchemy of materials.

Curated aims to represent a thoughtful exploration of design that intertwines artistry with functionality. Informed by his appreciation for craftsmanship, artisanal work and repurposed materials, Jadot's vision and curation of ceramics, woodworking and experimental materials for the show resonate with that of Mix Brussels—a multifaceted space that combines a 180-room hotel, restaurants, a food market, co-working areas as well as wellness and gym facilities, all designed with a focus on creating a true community. The showcase invites visitors to engage with the exhibits fostering a deeper connection to the materials and their stories.

'Curated' is on view from October 11 - 13, 2024, at the Mix Brussels hotel in Brussels, Belgium.