In a city synonymous with design innovation, this year’s Milan Design Week, coinciding with Euroluce, has unveiled a truly monumental gesture: Es Devlin’s kinetic installation, a breathtaking ‘poem of light’ commissioned by the Salone del Mobile. Nestled within the venerable embrace of the Pinacoteca di Brera’s 17th-century Cortile d’Onore, a space that gracefully connects the Pinacoteca itself, the Braidense National Library, and the Academy of Fine Arts, the work resonates with a profound understanding of place and purpose.
Devlin, a British artist and designer celebrated for her immersive and often large-scale creations, found her inspiration in a quote by Umberto Eco, a thought sparked while ascending the towering shelves of the Braidense National Library: “Books are the compass of the mind, they point to countless worlds yet to be explored.” This sentiment has been translated into a spectacular eighteen-meter diameter revolving cylindrical sculpture, a living, breathing library formed of illuminated bookshelves housing over two thousand volumes.
During daylight hours, as the colossal structure gently rotates, an ingeniously angled mirrored plane atop it captures and redirects the sun’s rays, casting luminous strokes onto the courtyard’s stoic columns, the classical statues within the portico, and even into architectural nooks previously untouched by sunlight. As dusk descends, the installation undergoes a captivating transformation. Its internal illumination casts intricate shadow plays onto the surrounding walls, turning the historic courtyard into an ever-shifting canvas of light and form.
But Devlin’s creation is more than a visual spectacle; it is an experience woven with the very voices of thought. Her profound appreciation for the dynamism of libraries finds expression in a series of collective readings. The theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli’s “The Order of Time” is brought to life through the recorded voice of the acclaimed British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, while Devlin herself lends her voice to excerpts from the insightful writings of Maria Gaetana Agnesi. These spoken words are underscored by a poignant composition from the British duo Polyphonia, featuring the soulful strains of a solo violin drawn from Beethoven’s timeless 1806 Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61.
Encircling these voices is a curated firmament of over 2,000 books, thoughtfully selected and generously donated by Feltrinelli. Each volume aligns with the Salone del Mobile’s overarching theme for 2025: “Thought for Humans.” This collection becomes a living archive, inviting interaction. Throughout the days open to the public, visitors are encouraged to browse the titles and even contribute their own cherished books, further enriching this burgeoning public resource. These donated volumes will then embark on a new chapter in their journey, becoming part of the Milan Library System, ready to inspire and inform future readers. This extraordinary installation, aptly named “Library of Light,” stands as a significant gift to the city, a testament to the power of collaboration between the Salone del Mobile, with the generous contribution of Feltrinelli, and the esteemed Pinacoteca di Brera and La Grande Brera.
For the duration of its two-week presence, the Cortile d’Onore will be more than just a beautiful backdrop; “Library of Light” will transform into a vibrant stage for intellectual exchange and dialogue. A series of thoughtfully curated meetings will interweave the threads of art, literature, craftsmanship, and critical reflections on our contemporary world. Through the voices of artists, writers, curators, and innovators, the library will become a fertile ground where ideas take root, cross-pollinate, and flourish, offering visitors an immersive and constantly evolving cultural experience.
The inaugural session delves into the art of weaving as a potent means of cultural transmission, an ancient practice that, through its intricate warp and weft, diligently preserves memory, tradition, and identity. In this context, significant attention will be given to voices from India, the nation that recently played host to the Salone. Literature takes center stage on Wednesday, April 9th, with an evening organized by Feltrinelli featuring a compelling lecture by Walter Siti, one of Italy’s most distinguished literary figures, on his work “C’era una volta il corpo” [Once upon a time there was the body]. Siti, renowned for his critical editions of Pier Paolo Pasolini and his impactful novels, brings a profound intellectual weight to the discussion. Another pivotal moment will be dedicated to unpacking the very concept of “Thought for Humans,” prompting a crucial reflection on the responsibility of both art and design towards humanity. An open and engaging discussion between the insightful artist Matilde Cassani, the imaginative set designer Margherita Palli, and the perceptive architect Luca Cipelletti, skillfully moderated by Annalisa Rosso, will explore the unique capacity of creativity to generate profound thought, envision potential futures, and fundamentally redefine our relationship with both space and matter.
Es Devlin‘s “Library of Light” is not merely an installation; it is an invitation. An invitation to engage with knowledge in a new and dynamic way, to witness the interplay of light and shadow mirroring the ebb and flow of ideas, and to participate in a collective act of building a shared intellectual landscape. In this year dedicated to light, Devlin has illuminated not just a courtyard, but the very essence of what it means to learn, to connect, and to be human.