Nike invited 10 progressive contemporary designers to explore movement through various mediums for ‘The Nature of Motion’ at Milan Design Week 2016. Nike Design aims to advance the potential of the human body through a synergy of form, function and motion. Some of the works are conceptual (foreshadowing future technologies), while others are practical. They were inspired by the on-going pursuit of natural motion and many use high-tech materials unique to Nike, such as Flyknit.
Lindsey Adelman’s light installation comprises two fixtures, each incorporating multiple phases of natural development into a cohesive form that communicates through vibrational movement. Enrica Cavarzan and Marco Zavagno designed oversized floor lamps that feature diffusers made with Nike Flyknit, forming an installation inspired by the beauty of an athlete in action.
Martino Gamper displayed a collection of drums within a specially constructed domestic environment, creating a commentary on the rhythm of Natural Motion by stretching Nike Flyknit textiles over laminated plywood forms and securing them with Nike laces. Max Lamb’s surreal installation showcases heavy aluminum, granite and polystyrene blocks effortlessly levitating above an invisible film of compressed air, enabling them to move with the lightest touch and also challenge perceptions of weight and effort.
Greg Lynn’s smart microclimate chair uses integrated sensors to calculate the body temperature of the sitter. The surface is designed for maximum contact, with the goal being to selectively cool and heat an athlete between periods of physical activity. Bertjan Pot’s series of resting pods took the wheel as a structural starting point, upholstering the inner tubes of a car, wheelbarrow, truck and tractor with ropes, Nike laces and belts.
Clara von Zweigbergk and Shane Schneck’s collection of seating requires a sitter’s cognitive engagement to balance. Their range of heights and postures provide an active alternative to standard sedentary seating. Sebastian Wrong’s ergonomic chair formation, intended as communal seating, wraps an intricate textile around a hollowed steel frame.
Source: psfk.com
