Galerie Philia and Anthracite Art pay ode to Robert Mapplethorpe with Floral Echoes

Galerie Philia, in collaboration with Anthracite Art, announces Floral Echoes: Odes to Mapplethorpe, on view from June 5 – August 29, 2025, at Anthracite Art's gallery space in central Zurich, Switzerland. The design exhibition brings together American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe's 'iconic' floral photography with sculptural works by 18 contemporary designers.

At the show's core are two of Mapplethorpe's renowned black-and-white photographs—one of orchids in a vase, the other, a floral arrangement—each exemplifying his mastery of contrast, shadow and form. "These images serve as a foundation for exploring the interplay between organic forms and materiality in the sculptural design of today," notes the exhibition's press release by Philia.

In dialogue with Mapplethorpe's work are commissioned sculptural design pieces, including coffee and side tables, statement seating, vases and chandeliers. As the show's text mentions, "Each piece has been selected to resonate with the themes and aesthetics of Mapplethorpe's floral imagery, fostering a conversation between photography and sculptural design."

The participating designers include Ron Arad, Franzen & Casa, Pietro Franceschini, Elsa Foulon, Michael Gittings, Alice Lahana, Emilie Lemardeley, Studio Mah, Morghen Studio, Boldizar Senteski, Lee Sisan, Laura Pasquino, Jérôme Pereira, Lucile Gracile, Kar, Rick Owens, Pierre de Valck and Lucas Tyra Morten.

Foulon's pair of ceramic consoles and unique pendant light sculpture debuts alongside Pereira's poetic Icarus pendant lighting sculpture, both complementing the shadows of Mapplethorpe's photography. While Lemardeley's newest glass vases and lamp designs speak to the floral theme, Sisan's latest furniture design collection of cast-aluminium tree branches offers a fresh depth to the visual scenography. Owens' bronze vases and iconic Tomb Stag chair design also adorn the show.

Further in Floral Echoes, China-based studio Kar presents a vase from their latest collection, while Morghen Studio illuminates the exhibition space with their latest moving pendant titled Vesper, an homage to Alexander Calder. Gittings' intricate metal artistry is seen in the floral Novalis bench, in direct dialogue with the theme, as de Valck debuts his new coffee table and pendant with quartz and bronze. Meanwhile, two of Pasquino's latest folding vases feed the conversation set between the product designs and the photographic aesthetics on display.

Lahana's latest, limited-edition mirror in blackened oak is shown for the first time, along with a collection of iconic seats, including a leather sofa and a metal bench from Arad. Morten's set of almost translucent Onyx vases adorn the layout, complemented by the debut of a unique ceramic vessel from Studio Mah. Finally, Franzen & Casa reveal their popular Trono seat in a travertine version in the show as well.