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Miguel Milá: A Life in Design – A Night to Remember
Illuminating Milá’s Legacy
Coinciding with the International Day of Light, this exhibition was a perfect occasion to showcase the brilliance of Miguel Milá. A pioneer of Spanish design since the 1950s, Milá has created iconic lamps and furniture that have stood the test of time, blending tradition with modernity. His works, produced and distributed by Santa & Cole, are celebrated worldwide, featured in over 80 countries, and catalogued by prestigious companies like Kendo and Mobles 114.
A Journey Through Time
Our special international guest, Darío Valero from Santa & Cole, kicked off the event with an insightful presentation highlighting the evolution of Milá’s design philosophy. The exhibition, titled “Miguel Milá: A Life in Design,” was curated with pieces that spanned from 1956 to 2021, showcasing the timelessness and enduring appeal of Milá’s work.
Attendees were delighted to experience iconic creations up close, including the TMM lamp, the charming Cesta family, and the elegant M68. Adding to the allure, they also had the chance to admire the eight new colours developed for Miguel Milá’s M64 lamp by Claudia Valsells. This Barcelona-based colourist and artist conducted a chromatic study that brings a fresh visual and emotional dimension to Milá’s iconic M64 lamp, enhancing its legacy with vibrant new hues.
Meet the Maestro
Miguel Milá’s journey from an interior designer to an iconic industrial designer is a testament to his innovative spirit and dedication to functionality and beauty. Starting in a market devoid of modernist essentials, Milá hand-crafted prototypes from raw, renewable materials, leading to his celebrated lighting and furniture collections.
This tribute, inspired by Apartamento’s recently published book on Milá, featured contributions from renowned designer Jasper Morrison and design academic Kiko Gaspar Quevedo, providing a comprehensive look at Milá’s influential career.
Check the documentary where director Poldo Pomés Leiz seeks to showcase the figure and his work in a simple and natural manner. “I’ve sought to shed greater light on the master”, a process he describes in a highly natural manner as Milá has formed a major part of his life: “his works were part and parcel of my upbringing.”
The Visionaries Behind the Event
Santa & Cole, founded in 1985 and rooted in Belloch, Barcelona, is a small yet global editor of design products. Their mission is to adapt objects for public use, much like a book editor does with stories. Their partnership with Milá exemplifies their dedication to preserving and promoting timeless design.
Don’t Miss Out!
If you missed the event, don’t worry! The Miguel Milá: A Life in Design exhibition is still on display at AJAR showroom at 120 Johnston Street in Collingwood, for the next three weeks. We invite you to come and explore the timeless works of this legendary designer. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Miguel Milá and see firsthand why his designs have become classics. We look forward to welcoming you!
Thank you to everyone who attended and made this evening a resounding success!