Amidst the vibrant chaos and rapid pace of Milan Design Week, Marcin Rusak Studio offered a sanctuary of calm and contemplation with its exhibition, 'Forum Florum: Herbarium of the Present.' This distinctive presentation intentionally steered away from the frenetic energy characteristic of the event, choosing instead a more deliberate and reflective approach. By situating the exhibition within the historic Società d'Incoraggiamento d'Arti e Mestieri (SIAM), a venerable 19th-century institution dedicated to fostering arts and crafts, Rusak transformed the typical design week experience into an academic and philosophical journey. The show invited attendees to immerse themselves in a deeper understanding of nature and its profound connections to memory, knowledge, and our collective existence.
Marcin Rusak's "Forum Florum": A Sanctuary of Reflection at Milan Design Week
In a bold departure from the commercial frenzy of Milan Design Week, artist Marcin Rusak unveiled his latest endeavor, 'Forum Florum: Herbarium of the Present,' on April 28, 2026. This thought-provoking exhibition, held at the historic SIAM (Società d'Incoraggiamento d'Arti e Mestieri), aimed to foster introspection rather than rapid consumption. SIAM, established in 1838, provided an ideal backdrop, transforming the traditional gallery space into an educational platform where design, nature, and human perception converged.
The exhibition journey commenced in SIAM's courtyard with the 'Flower Journey' installation. This monumental portal, crafted from a combination of 3D-printed components and cast bronze, symbolically represented the expansive history of the cut flower industry. Drawing inspiration from unfinished Medieval cathedrals and intricate Art Nouveau designs, it highlighted the global trade's evolution from 19th-century Dutch greenhouses to contemporary Kenyan and Colombian export operations.
Beyond this grand entrance, 'Plant Pulses' offered an immersive, multisensory experience. Developed in collaboration with Perrier-Jouët, this installation translated ultrasound recordings of plant activity, gathered by AGH University researchers Bartłomiej Chojnacki and Klara Chojnacka, into a captivating interplay of sound and visuals. Composer Justyna Stasiowska and digital artist Eli Magaziner transformed this data, making the inaudible communications of the plant world perceptible to human senses.
Rusak's exhibition also featured several new works, showcasing the studio's stylistic and technological evolution. Among these were imposing 2.5-meter herbarium panels, meticulously created by laminating various flowers and plants between sheets of glass. Complementing these were new furniture pieces, including a shelving system, a coffee table, and a mirror, all expanding upon Rusak's renowned Flora series. Custom 3D-printed biodegradable sconces further enhanced the exhibition's ambiance, encouraging visitors to relax and engage deeply with the displays. As Rusak himself articulated, "Forum Florum is an invitation to see plants as carriers of memory, knowledge, and interdependence—living archives through which we can rethink our relationship with materials, time, and nature."
The 'Forum Florum' exhibition by Marcin Rusak Studio offered a much-needed counterbalance to the fast-paced nature of modern design events. It beautifully demonstrated how design can transcend commercial interests, becoming a medium for education, reflection, and a deeper connection with the natural world. By choosing a historical educational setting, Rusak not only honored the past but also envisioned a future where design fosters thoughtful engagement and appreciation for the intricate beauty surrounding us.