Formation by FormaFantasma
Friedman Benda presents the first solo gallery exhibition in the United States by Italian design studio Formafantasma.
Opening to the public on June 6th, FormaFantasma introduces a new body of work that reconsiders the intersection of furniture, domesticity, and archetypal form.
At the core of Formation is an inquiry into how objects function within the home, and how their elemental forms shape our understanding of design. Crafted entirely from Cherry wood, each piece in the collection begins with the plank—the most basic building block of cabinetmaking. The exhibition centres on the tension between traditional craftsmanship and modern sensibility, creating works that feel both timeless and distinctly contemporary.
Lighting elements in the show draw inspiration from digital culture, with LED panels shaped in proportions that recall smartphones and laptop screens. The collection is underpinned by quiet nods to influential figures in American design: the utilitarian and spiritual clarity of the Shakers, Frank Lloyd Wright’s integration of technology and handcraft, and George Nakashima’s reverence for wood as a living medium. These influences converge in the subtle interplay of warm Cherry wood and sleek brushed aluminum—a material more commonly associated with digital devices than domestic interiors.
Textiles also play a key role in the exhibition, referencing domestic traditions and the often-overlooked contributions of women’s labour to the history of design. These elements—both poetic and practical—underscore the home as a site of memory, care, and quiet innovation.
Eschewing spectacle in favour of subtlety, Formation creates a space for reflection. With a deliberately restrained aesthetic, Formafantasma demonstrates a refined mastery of form and material, working within familiar typologies to craft a unique design language. The exhibition invites viewers to consider how domestic objects evolve—shaped by shifting technologies and cultural values—and encourages a deeper awareness of the emotional and historical layers embedded in everyday things.
As designers Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin note, Formation is not about mimicking or rejecting history, but expanding upon it—offering a compelling vision of how the past and present can coexist in the language of contemporary design.
Formation by Formafantasma for Friedam Benda, June 6 – August 1, 2025.
Hero picture: Table lamp. Cherry wood, aluminum, LED, acrylic, linoleum. 36 x 16 x 45 cm. Edition of 8
