a CHOUS × SIMANTIRI MANSION design synergy
Summer 2024
Chora, Patmos
Nestled within the timeless charm of Patmos island, a dialogue between tradition and the present unfolds in historic SIMANTIRI mansion's intimate space. EXOPLANET invites visitors on a metaphorical journey, bridging the celestial and the terrestrial through the language of contemporary design. The installation's setting -a mansion rich with the heritage of Patmos- becomes a canvas where the old meets the new, and the familiar confronts the unknown. This environment of history and traditional interiors, serves as the perfect backdrop for the introduction of two striking Extraterrestrial Design Objects (EDOs).Chora, Patmos
The metallic red pedestal or side table, BLADE, bold, vibrant, and sleek, contrasts sharply with the mansion's aged textures and muted tones. This piece embodies a sense of otherworldliness, a spaceship landed amidst the ancient and the enduring. Complementing this is the marble vase, KTERISMA, functioning as a satellite with its angular, sharp form. Crafted with precision, it melds the classical material of marble with a design ethos that speaks to innovation and forward-thinking. The vase's futuristic aesthetics disrupt the traditional setting, yet its material roots it firmly in a dialogue with the past.
EXOPLANET is more than a design intervention; it is a conversation. The juxtaposition of these contemporary objects within a space of historical significance underscores a dynamic interplay between epochs. The exhibition challenges viewers to contemplate the boundaries of design and time, urging reflection on how the past and future can coexist and inform one another. As visitors traverse the mansion, they are invited to witness the symbiotic relationship between the alien and the familiar. The exhibition highlights the transformative power of design, illustrating how modern creations can resonate within and enrich a traditional context. EXOPLANET ultimately signifies the endless possibilities that arise when distinct visual and aesthetic worlds collide, creating a space where past and present meet in harmonious dialogue.
EXOPLANET embodies the synergy between CHOUS’s EDO creations and SIMANTIRI mansion’s storied universe, forming an aesthetic cosmogony within the core of (P)atmosphere that invites exploration of contrast and connection. It is a testament to the enduring nature of design and its ability to transcend time and space, offering new perspectives within the embrace of the old.
Set design: Emmanouil CHOUS
Visual communication: João Drumond
Photography: Emmanouil CHOUS
