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Galerie Philia is proud to announce its exhibition Floral Echoes: Odes to Mapplethorpe, which took place in Zurich last summer. In collaboration with Anthracite Art, the gallery presents a unique encounter between Robert Mapplethorpe's iconic floral photography and contemporary sculptural design by eighteen international designers. The exhibition is being held in Anthracite's centrally located gallery and promises to be a rich, sensory experience in which photography, form and material reinforce each other.
The exhibition takes as its starting point two famous black-and-white photographs by Mapplethorpe: a vase of orchids and a floral arrangement. These works demonstrate his unrivalled mastery of light, shadow and composition. Their timeless beauty and sleek aesthetics serve as the foundation for a dialogue with sculptural designs that also explore the boundary between nature and artificial form. 
The selection includes a wide range of works – from tables, chairs and sofas to vases, lamps and chandeliers – each reflecting the theme of Mapplethorpe's floral images. Elsa Foulon presents her ceramic consoles and a monumental light sculpture for the first time, while Jérôme Pereira's poetic Icarus pendant enhances the shadow effects from Mapplethorpe's photography. Emilie Lemardeley's new glass vases and lamps fit seamlessly into the floral theme, and Lee Sisan enriches the scenography with furniture pieces in cast aluminium branch structures. Rick Owens' bronze vases and his iconic Tomb Stag Chair add a raw, sculptural character.Other designers also contribute to this multifaceted dialogue.
Ook andere ontwerpers dragen bij aan deze veelzijdige dialoog. 
Their timeless beauty and sleek aesthetics serve as the foundation for an interesting dialogue
The Chinese collective Kar is exhibiting a new vase, while Morghen Studio is illuminating the space with Vesper, a moving pendulum inspired by Calder. Michael Gittings' metal Novalis bench makes direct reference to the floral motifs, and Pierre de Valck is introducing a table and lamp in quartz and bronze. Laura Pasquino presents two new folding vases, and Alice Lahana shows a limited edition mirror in blackened oak for the first time. There are also contributions from greats such as Ron Arad, with a leather sofa and metal bench, and Franzen & Casa with their Trono chair in travertine.
Floral Echoes is therefore not only a tribute to Mapplethorpe, but also an exploration of the interaction between photography and design, nature and object, shadow and light. The exhibition brings together diverse artistic voices that collectively pay contemporary homage to the power of form and materiality. 
Photography by Studio Brinth
Text by Elke Aerts