The Nature of Motion

The exhibition presented by Nike in via Orobia is an interesting example of creative cross-contamination in the macrocosm of design. #MDW2016

Ten designers worked with the Portland company to explore the concept of natural movement. Presented in the exhibition “The Nature of Motion” during the 2016 Salone in via Orobia, close to the Fondazione Prada, the result of this collaboration has been crystallised in various forms: from more conceptual interpretations to other more technological and functional ones, in some cases using materials new for Nike such as Flyknit.

Bertjan Pot, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike — **Top:** Sebastian Wrong, ergonomic chair intended as communal seating, inspired by Futurism, wraps an intricate Flyknit textile around a hollowed steel frame, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike. **Above:** Bertjan Pot, series of resting pods made by upholstering the inner tubes of cars and trucks

The project lasted a year and a half and was developed on the basis of the original idea of Mark Parker – CEO of Nike – to collaborate with designers on projects that were influenced by their ethos and also by their philosophy. The responses took different directions: some, like Bertjan Pot, Martino Gamper, Enrica Caravan and Marco Zavagno of Zaven, and Sebastian Wrong worked with Flyknit using this high-tech material in an unusual way; some worked on the notion of equilibrium, such as Clara von Zweigbergk and Shane Schneck, and Max Lamb; others proposed a poetic interpretation of the theme, such as the American Lindsey Adelman, or came up with a decidedly technological concept such as the American architect Greg Lynn.

Martino Gamper, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike — Martino Gamper, collection of drums using stretching technical Nike Flyknit textiles over laminated plywood forms and securing them with Nike laces, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

The set of chairs designed by Clara von Zweigbergk and Shane Schneck was connected to the idea of equilibrium, balance and the possibility of continuing movement also when seated, with particular attention to the way the human body interacts with static objects.

Clara von Zweigbergk and Shane Shneck, Nike — Clara von Zweigbergk and Shane Shneck, collection of seating that studies the interplay of balance and posture, specifically how the human body interacts with static objects. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Max Lamb’s project was probably the most courageous. Rather than proposing an object in Flyknit, Lamb went in the opposite direction: he brought in three blocks, in marble, aluminium and polystyrene – materials that are part of his work as a designer and artist – and suspended them on a field of compressed air, moving the invisible and taking to the extreme the idea of naturalness of movement.

Max Lamb, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike — Max Lamb, Lamb’s installation showcases heavy aluminum, granite and polystyrene blocks effortlessly levitating above an invisible film of compressed air, which enables them to move with the lightest touch. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Lindsey Adelman gave the theme a poetic interpretation concentrating on the broader universe of movement in nature, that is imperceptible and evolves through tiny vibrations that we are unaware of but that enable plants to grow and seeds to move. Adelaman – who usually uses in her works rich materials such as blown glass, brass and colour – instead selected for this installation very simple materials to create two luminous branches with sensors, constantly moving to simulate the stages of natural life.

Lindsey Adelman, Nike — Lindsey Adelman, light installation is inspired by the Natural Motion of plants. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

The work by the studio Zaven drew visual references from art history, going from Calder on to Antony Caro and up to the sculptures of Fausto Melotti. Starting with the idea of the sculpture and movement, the two Veneto based designers created slender lamp-sculptures that simulate the body of an athlete frozen in maximum tension of movement.

Greg Lynn, microclimate chair, constructed of a combination of rigid and flexible carbon fiber, using integrated sensors to calculate the body temperature of athlete and response accordingly. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike, Fuorisalone 2016

The intelligent microclimatic chair by Lynn – that is part of extensive research that Nike is carrying out with teams of physicians with the aim of inserting more and more technology inside clothing and footwear – is made from carbon-fibre composite and aluminium and uses integrated sensors to calculate the body temperature with the aim of thermo-regulating the athlete during breaks between periods of physical activity.

Enrica Cavarzan e Marco Zavagno, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike — Enrica Cavarzan and Marco Zavagno, floor lamps that feature diffusers made with Nike Flyknit, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

It could be said that Nike has always worked on developing projects around the idea of natural movement right since the dawn of the company when Bill Bowerman, co-founder, described his ideal shoe as a “second skin”. What is more, training barefoot on grass strengthens the feet of runners, improving performance and reducing risk of injury. Armed with this knowledge, the designers at Nike made a running sole with deep grooves that allowed a similar flexibility to the naked foot. The use of Flyknit also moves in this direction. In the final part of the exhibition, the designers at Nike present the technologies that the company is working with via tactile experiments linked to the foot and movement.

“The Nature of Motion”, Nike — “The Nature of Motion”, studies of the potential of the human body through a synergy of form, function and motion, Nike

The ten designers invited were introduced to the themes the company is exploring and taken to visit the research labs in Portland; each one reacted in their own way, taking up the challenge with enthusiasm. In exchange Nike demonstrated great openness in welcoming, incubating and developing their ideas.

The exhibition represents an interesting example of design cross-contamination between two different worlds: that of design and the much more technical one of designing sports clothing and footwear that sets out to achieve precise performance targets.

“The Nature of Motion”, Nike, Fuorisalone 2016

Sebastian Wrong, ergonomic chair intended as communal seating, inspired by Futurism, wraps an intricate Flyknit textile around a hollowed steel frame, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Bertjan Pot, Bertjan Pot, series of resting pods made by upholstering the inner tubes of cars and trucks. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Bertjan Pot, Bertjan Pot, series of resting pods made by upholstering the inner tubes of cars and trucks. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Lindsey Adelman, light installation is inspired by the Natural Motion of plants. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike“The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Clara von Zweigbergk and Shane Shneck, collection of seating that studies the interplay of balance and posture, specifically how the human body interacts with static objects. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Max Lamb, Lamb’s installation showcases heavy aluminum, granite and polystyrene blocks effortlessly levitating above an invisible film of compressed air, which enables them to move with the lightest touch. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Martino Gamper, collection of drums using stretching technical Nike Flyknit textiles over laminated plywood forms and securing them with Nike laces, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Martino Gamper, collection of drums using stretching technical Nike Flyknit textiles over laminated plywood forms and securing them with Nike laces, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

Greg Lynn, microclimate chair, constructed of a combination of rigid and flexible carbon fiber, using integrated sensors to calculate the body temperature of athlete and response accordingly. “The Nature of Motion”, Nike, Fuorisalone 2016

Enrica Cavarzan and Marco Zavagno, floor lamps that feature diffusers made with Nike Flyknit, “The Nature of Motion”, Nike

12–17 April 2016
The Nature of Motion
Nike
via Orobia 15, Milan

The Nature of Motion

The exhibition presented by Nike in via Orobia is an interesting example of creative cross-contamination in the macrocosm of design. #MDW2016

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