Lighting as art: Highlights from Milan

At this year’s Milan Fair, glass and ceramic designs took center stage as elevated forms of sculptural art. Among the highlights were Flos, Bocci, and Ross Gardam, each redefining the relationship between light, material, and space.

Bocci, the Canadian lighting studio with roots in both Vancouver and Berlin, returned with its signature blown-glass pieces. Known for their organic, gravity-defying compositions, Bocci’s installations transformed traditional lighting into ethereal environments. Each piece, often clustered, became an expression of materiality, where the interplay of light and glass created tactile, almost living forms. Their work emphasised variety in texture and hue, echoing a wider trend toward emotional, expressive glasswork.

Flos leaned into stylistic minimalism, unveiling pieces like Map and Nocturne, which marry technology with elegance. Linked by Michael Anastassiades exemplified multifunctional lighting, where sculptural art became an adaptable architectural element. These pieces highlighted a growing desire for design that is both beautiful and responsive to how we live.

The Rakumba Big Glow pendant added a sense of quiet drama with its bold sculptural form, while Foscarini’s Étoile brought a lyrical elegance with its star-inspired silhouette.

Ross Gardam’s pieces like Solace and Relic showcased a balance of craftsmanship and emotion. Solace with its soft edges, and diffused glow felt meditative. Relic, by contrast, celebrated imperfection and tactility, with its hand-finished surface. Gardam’s designs turn light into a deeply personal, almost poetic experience. 

Lighting this year wasn’t just about illumination, it was about creating immersive, human-centric experiences. The future is bright, and beautifully crafted.