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Made in blown murano glass, metal and wooden accessories the TESTA MECHANICA series was Presented as part of Glasstress for Venice Projects at the Venice Biennial 2011 and MAD, New York City in 2012.

An imaginary world connects the various forms of renewable energy. The pavilion is a luminous grid that constantly transforms, creating an aseptic environment but one that is dynamic and enveloping at the same time. The furnishings inside, heterogeneous in terms of form and function, represent the different energy sources and their concatenation: luminous elements power a table whose top is made with photovoltaic panels (solar energy) that, in turn, is connected by coloured wires to a cabinet completely covered with small propellers (wind energy) and rotating vases (nuclear energy), all moving with self-produced energy. In the development of the details of each single work, with great creativity and a very high level of productive quality, Jaime Hayon wants to make the most complex technology more human and comprehensible.

Jaime Hayon and Nienke Klunder have worked together since meeting in Italy in 2003. American Chateau, is their first public collaborative exhibition. This new series of sculptural and two dimensional pieces is a creative departure for both artists, taking inspiration from the iconic cultural exports of the USA and the opulence of 17th century European craftwork. Jaime and Nienkes pieces are the icons of the booming, fast-food American dream, a kind of Versailles meets Disneyland hybrid. This unusual juxtaposition transcends historical, social and contextual boundaries through its eclectic influences and overlapping of historical periods and high and low culture. It challenges the elite notions of art and design and gives them a frame of reference in contemporary everyday culture.

“The chicken, a rather unexplored shape, found its place amongst my green dreams. I wanted to portray this common bird as a sensational object by amplifying its characteristics and dimensions, turning it into a modern piece, one of great beauty and utility: a rocking chair. The movement, subtle and constant, would give the object a zoom-like trait, a sense of speed and dynamism. My green chicken had taken on a face, a shape, a place and a function.” – Jaime Hayon.

“I loved the idea of having the opportunity to create a humorous and more sophisticated version of such a serious and functional object: a plane. It is made of fibre and silver mosaic, which gives a luxurious and surreal effect to the object. Black and white lines in the floor in Bisazza glass tiles create speed and movement. Reminiscing about an old Hollywood scene, a very theatrical installation atmosphere will be created by the spotlights. A circular couch is the central element of the plane’s body. I can imagine this object flying out a couple of lovers drinking champagne to deliver energy and good vibes across their journey. Jet set is a living room plane; an art object in a fantasy installation that shows the potential use of the Bisazza materials.” – Jaime Hayon.

Mon Cirque is Hayon’s vision of a large ironic metaphor. A place that symbolises his hope of artistic freedom, where the designers work is free to transcend the frontiers built between design and art.

The classical colourfulness of the circus is replaced by a more serious and elegant contrast between black, white and gold: Cirque de lux. Vases become characters, clowns become lamps, plates used as canvas, tables grow legs. A sophisticated ambient replaces the decadent circus. A new world has been born: Mon Cirque.

Craftsmanship is a key element to Mon Cirque. Avoiding the use of molds, a return to the hand made object where each piece is unique in its existence, like the characters they represent. Mon Cirque has traveled to Minneapolis, Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris and Cologne. It continues to move on, like a circus should.

“The Bisazza installation created for the Salone is meant to explore the possibilities of mixing art forms with industrial applications. The concept is to present other than the product itself, but instead, the possibilities of the product. In this case, it is treated as a medium for creation. The elements that make up this large-scale installation are part of my personal cosmology, where intuition alters reality creating a scenario far from conventional. The tables rescue elements from car engines contrasted with chic marble tops. The main piece is a butler presenting trays of new Bisazza elements. Plates will recreate possible faces for the face-less butler using mosaic-graphics. A new typology of vases emerges from the combination of ceramic and mosaic. The entire effect is that of an encounter with my world and dreams.”   -Jaime Hayon.