Designed by the Viruta Lab studio, the installation 'The light in the darkness' will be featured during Fuorisalone at Milan Design Week. The installation reflects on the devastating events that affected the Valencian region last October
Eighteen Tile of Spain member brands will take part in the installation, which will be held at Università degli Studi di Milano (La Statale)
Milan will become the world's design hub during Milan Design Week, from April 7th-13th
Tile of Spain will once again present an ephemeral installation as part of Fuorisalone, which takes place during the most important week in the international design calendar.
This year’s material-light installation, titled ‘The light in the darkness’ and designed by the Valencian studio Viruta Lab, pays tribute to the volunteers who supported the Valencian communities affected by the devastating event of October 29th, 2024.
The installation gives tangible form to the light that emerged from the darkness of that day. It is conceived as a central, walkable rectangular composition (10 x 1.90 metres), visible from all four sides. The space is structured around 18 sculptural totems made of stacked volumes, each covered in ceramic tiles from Tile of Spain brands Apavisa, Arcana, Azteca, Cevica, Colorker, Cristacer, Decocer, Dune, El Barco, Gayafores, Natucer, Pamesa, ITT, Tau, Undefasa, Venux, Vives, and Wow.
Images courtesy of: INTERNI Magazine. INTERNI Cre-Action – 7-17 Abril 2025 © Paolo Consaga
The color palette of the ceramic tiles is dominated by earthy tones, evoking the clay and mud that once covered the affected villages. The totems are envisioned as human-sized candelabras that cast light onto the surrounding area, creating striking contrasts of light and shadow. These reflections suggest the presence of water and enhance the installation’s visual symmetry. This reinterpretation of ceramic material offers a new way of showcasing the product, giving it meaning through a rich variety of sizes, textures, and color.
This event is part of the promotional campaign for Spanish ceramic tiles in Italy, co-financed by ICEX Spain Trade and Investment and ASCER, and managed by the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office in Milan.
To mark Tile of Spain’s participation in Fuorisalone, a mobile-first digital catalogue has been created. Accessible at tileofspain.com, it features the participating companies’ contact details and information on the ceramic tiles on display.
‘The light in the darkness’ is hosted within the INTERNI magazine exhibition space at the Università degli Studi di Milano (La Statale), one of the key hubs of the Milan Design Week parallel programme.
Spanish ceramics will also be showcased in other events during Fuorisalone in Milan. Highlights include the ‘Appartamento Spagnolo’, organised by ICEX Spain Trade and Investment in collaboration with Elle Decor Italia and curated by Calvi Brambilla Studio, hosted at the historic Palazzo Castiglioni and featuring products by Porcelanosa. Further displays include the exhibitions ‘The Mind’ by Living Ceramics and ‘The Poetics of Bonds’ by Porcelanosa.
Images courtesy of: Viruta Lab
