Panorammma Atelier’s "Chainmail" at PHILIA During Design Week Mexico
Imagine stepping into a space where the echoes of the past dance with the pulse of the present. PHILIA is back in its hometown, Mexico City, hosting Panorammma Atelier’s solo show during Design Week Mexico (October 7 - November 3, 2024). This isn’t your typical exhibit—think of it as a playful and bold invitation to reimagine the familiar, and to let the unexpected unfold.
Chainmail: The Ancient Made New
Titled Chainmail, this exhibition brings over a dozen pieces from Panorammma Atelier’s collection, including the standout Chainmail Chair and the dazzling new Cobweb Chandelier. It’s all about reworking an old-school technique—linking metal rings, one by one, just like they did back in medieval times. But don’t let the history fool you; it’s anything but dated.
For the designer, it’s the ultimate playground—taking something ancient and transforming it into something sleek, edgy, and modern. There’s something magical in the way this technique turns a rugged material into a flexible, almost fabric-like mesh. It’s like history with a wink—industrial, yes, but also surprisingly chic.
From Armor to Art: No Holds Barred
The Chainmail Chair doesn’t just ask you to sit down; it asks you to take a seat with intention. It’s a throne that plays with your expectations—how do you take a material once meant for battle and make it into something that’s both a little rebellious and a lot luxurious? The designer leans into its history, pulling from its darker, edgier past—armor, restraint, discipline—and flips the script, turning it into a visual feast that’s impossible to ignore.
This isn’t about pretending the past didn’t happen; it’s about embracing it, mixing the medieval myths with everyday modern life. The pieces reveal a complex, layered story—one where the fierce and fragile coexist, all while looking effortlessly cool.
Objects as Stories: Opening New Worlds
Panorammma Atelier’s pieces aren’t just objects—they’re like portals. The designer calls them “pseudo props,” little bridges between times that let fantasy and reality intertwine. These are objects that invite you to play, to lose yourself in a scene that feels like it’s halfway between now and then. It’s about letting the story unfold, piece by piece, as you wander through the space.
A Perfect Stage: Estudio Jorge Campos’ Architectural Haven
The exhibit is set in a modern architectural gem designed by Estudio Jorge Campos, a studio that’s been weaving its own kind of magic for 12 years now. The space becomes a stage—every wall, every corner is part of the show, amplifying the interplay between the old and the new. It’s a place where architecture and artistry collide, making the whole experience feel like you’re walking through a living, breathing piece of design history.
PHILIA and Panorammma Atelier’s Chainmail is an invitation to dive into the unexpected, where boldness and beauty weave together, and where every ring, every detail, tells a story waiting to be discovered. Don’t just view it—experience it.