The best of Design Miami 2024, where optimism is the watchword

Never change a winning horse. For its 20th anniversary under the Florida sun, Design Miami returns during Art Basel to showcase the best offerings from the global limited-edition circuit. Less than two months after its Paris edition, more than forty-five galleries—primarily American but not exclusively—will gather in Miami Beach. The format remains unchanged, featuring the Galleries section, dedicated to established names, alongside the Curio program, a space for experimentation by emerging talents, and the spectacular installations by major brands. Critic Glenn Adamson, curator for this 20th edition, presents an original theme: Blue Sky, conceived to inspire optimism about design’s potential to open new creative horizons. The ‘blue sky thinking’ he refers to is a form of brainstorming aimed at generating fresh ideas without worrying excessively about their feasibility. This exercise in openness to possibilities, sometimes naïve and unrealistic, is nonetheless a crucial driver for identifying new approaches and pathways to innovation. Bringing this inspiring theme to life is French designer Mathieu Lehanneur. Fresh off his celebrated work for the Paris Olympics—where he designed the torch and brazier—Lehanneur will explore the concept with Flowers Season, a triptych centered on themes of sky, clouds, and lightness.

What are the key highlights of the program? The Future Perfect from New York presents over 100 new creations by artists such as Anina Major, Laurids Gallée, Olivia Cognet, Sophie Lou Jacobsen, and Vikram Goyal, a rising Indian talent making his U.S. debut. Southern Guild, with a location in Los Angeles in addition to its historic Cape Town headquarters, has chosen ceramics as its signature medium, showcasing furniture and sculptural objects. London’s Sarah Myerscough Gallery focuses on the theme of the bedroom, explored through intimate works by Marc Fish, Tadeas Podracky, Peter Marigold, and Tadanori Tozawa. Ukranian artist Victoria Yakusha, now based in Antwerp, will participate in the Curio section with her new collection Grun, inspired by the mosses and greenery of her native forests. Historical design is well represented as well. French gallery Galerie Patrick Seguin spotlights the work of Jean Royère, while the American gallery R & Company features pieces by Wendell Castle and Verner Panton, paired with works by contemporary artists. Within the Curio program, Meritalia will present a tribute to Gaetano Pesce, our recently deceased great master. 
 

Beyond the main exhibition space, many off-site initiatives promise to enrich and diversify the offerings. Alcova, in its second U.S. edition, will host an impressive lineup of forty exhibitors at the Miami River Inn, featuring site-specific installations and a series of talks led by Joseph Grima and Valentina Ciuffi. Along South Beach, Carlos Betancourt will unveil ReefLine, an installation composed of 3D-printed coral reef pieces. This project, designed by OMA, combines efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change with the creation of an underwater art park accessible via snorkeling. At the ICA Miami Sculpture Garden, automotive brand Lexus will showcase the results of its collaboration with Crafting Plastics: four bioplastic sculptures designed to interact with viewers through sensory experiences.

Another much-discussed highlight comes from Jaguar, which is presenting a concept embodying its new direction and identity. The bold design has already sparked intense debate in the weeks leading up to the event.