Architecture, au - APRIL 2026
Editor’s picks: Milan Design Week 2026
Los Angeles-based practice Andrea Claire Studio celebrate their first international solo exhibition, with Totemic’s debut at Milan’s iconic Alcova art centre. Inspired by the concept of adornment, stacked paper lanterns measuring up to 56 centimetres in diameter dangle nearly 4 metres from the ceiling like jewellery. You can’t help but look up; it’s a perfect use of vertical space. The warm glow of each shade is delicately handcrafted using hanji, a traditional Korean mulberry paper, and moulded into three forms – Moon (symbolising constancy and romanticism), August (wisdom and gravitas) and Sage (accumulated knowledge). Holding the piece together is a sturdy brass framework finished in luxurious 22 karat gold, sterling silver leaf and moon gold leaf. The installation also features cast glass work by Brooklyn artist Matthew Day Perez, designed to project hues of pink and amber light onto the surrounding floor. These pieces showcase bespoke craft to the point of seeing the artist’s hand in their work – bellissima!