I WILL BE YOUR MIRROR

Solène Bonnet | Giovanni Botticelli | Riccardo Cenedella | Elissa Lacoste | Studio Speculo | Garance Vallée

SWING Design Gallery is pleased to present I WILL BE YOUR MIRROR, an exhibition dedicated to the symbolic significance of mirror. By the late 20th century, mirrors ceased to function primarily as depicted objects. Instead, they became integral materials, transforming from motifs into mediums. Artists began to work with mirrors directly, implicating viewers within the artwork and collapsing distinctions between representation and participation. I WILL BE YOUR MIRROR explores the expressive power of the mirror, investigating themes such as perception, identity, desire, truth and illusion. The exhibition features works by Solène Bonnet, Giovanni Botticelli, Riccardo Cenedella, Elissa Lacoste, Studio Speculo, Garance Vallée, designers who express their aesthetic research through different technical and narrative approaches. In the gallery spaces, a selection of 10 mirrors exploring specific themes:
PERCEPTION and DISTORTION | Solène Bonnet
Merging a table and a subtly distorted mirror, Nesso invites deep observation and simulates interaction. Serving as a filter to perceive the world through a certain perspective, Nesso represents the interconnections of self and others, inviting to question how we perceive reality through a unique spectrum. The Nesso mirror/sculpture manipulates the surrounding spaces, creating a sense of unreality and instability.
ARCHITECTURE and NATURE | Garance Vallée
The Organic Reflection mirror, designed exclusively for SWING Design Gallery and handmade by local artisans, embodies the poetics of architect, artist, and designer Garance Vallée. Her universe is characterized by organic forms, sculptural volumes, and a mineral palette inspired by antiquity, brutalist architecture, and nature.
MATERIALITY | Elissa Lacoste and Riccardo Cenedella
Tinted Mirrors collection by Elissa Lacoste, produced exclusively for SWING Design Gallery, is a series of sculptural wall mirrors that blend reflective surfaces with textured mineral forms. Composed of recycled colored mirrored glass and composite materials like acrylic plaster, vermiculite, mica, and pigments, each frame evokes a geological fragment or organic crust. The mirrors’ vibrant hues distort and color the observer’s reflection, altering perception and introducing chromatic dissonance between subject and image. Surfaces suggest coral, mineral deposits, or industrial residues – a hybrid materiality that is both natural and artificial. Crumble de Verre by Riccardo Cenedella draws  inspiration from a glassworking technique prior the discovery of blown glass, already in use in the Phoenician and Egyptian eras. By melting waste grit at reduced temperatures, the process preserves the morphological memory of the discarded material, resulting in objects that do not hide their origin but rather celebrate it through an experimental and heterogeneous aesthetic. Developed in collaboration with historic heritage manufacturers such as Barbini Specchi Veneziani, the collection translates this research into artifacts that explore new vernacular languages within the process of material regeneration and transformation.
IDENTITY and REPRESENTATION | Giovanni Botticelli and Studio Speculo
Giovanni Botticelli and Studio Speculo’s work examine the dualities between the viewer and the viewed, often exploring the concept of the mirror as a container of the soul or a tool for introspection. Both use traditional and artisanal production methods, but combine them with experimentation. Giovanni Botticelli’s Equilibrista collection is inspired by the concept of balance in more ways than one: the balance of volume and symmetry, where construction meets graphics; the allusion to the anthropological dimension, where the sense of harmony, order, and fulfillment derives from perfect formal and existential balance. The first edition of Equilibrista mirrors was created in 2016, produced by SWING Design Gallery.
Float Mirrors by Studio Speculo are hand-crafted mirrors using the artisanal method of pouring silver on glass, a recipe dating back to the early 19th century. The glass is artistically silvered, challenging its shape, yet the clean surface fulfills its primary function and reflects its surroundings beautifully.

Solène Bonnet (Born in Clermont-Ferrand, France in 1996. She lives and works in Paris)
Graduated from the Design Academy of Eindhoven in 2021. She now lives and works in Paris, where she examines the impact of digitization on human perception and the representation of the body. Focusing on digital and 3D research, Solène melds the virtual with the physical, creating unconventional artifacts that carry traces of both worlds. Her work translates the aesthetics, distortions, and ambiguities of digital environments into tangible forms, challenging the way we recognize and interpret our own shapes. As playful as it is investigative, her practice reminds us that our image – digital or physical – is impermanent and continually open to interpretation. EXHIBITIONS: 2024 Paris Fashion Week – Solo show, Paris; Paris Design Week, Paris; Playtime | New York;  Playtime | Paris; Collectibe | Brussels 2023 Cream on Sugarland | Curated by Trobar; Into the Blue | Curated by Tableau; Merging and Emerging | Milan Design Week, Milan; Collectible | Brussels 2022 In Search of Lost Time | Lake Como Design Week 2021 Dutch Design Week.

Giovanni Botticelli (Born in Rome in 1987. He lives and works in Rome)
He studies Product Design at IED, with formative experiences at ENSA Limoges and Abate Zanetti Murano. He is driven by an attitude to matching materials and technologies, crossing the boundaries of expertise and industrial fields. In 2016 he has his first solo exhibition, EQUILIBRISTA MIRRORS at Swing Design Gallery. In 2019 he has his second solo exhibition, HABITAT, at Swing Design Gallery, in collaboration with Mazzucchelli1849. His works are exhibited in national and international fairs and cities. University lecturer at IED. EXHIBITIONS: 2026 M&O Paris, Floating Ninfee in collaboration with Paola Paronetto 2025 Dubai Design Week, Isola Space, The Lana Promenade, Dubai; St. Regis. Rome – Bloom – EDIT Napoli; Milan Design Week, L’Appartamento by Artemest, Milano; M&O Paris,  Illumination in collaboration with Aina Kari 2024 MDW Milan, in collaboration with Paola Paronetto; Vetrografica, solo exhibition at Galleria Sospesa 2023  New Perspective in Glass by Swing Design Gallery, Benevento; Cercai un motivo trovai la bellezza by Millim Studio, Roma; Milan Design Week, L’Appartamento by Artemest, Milano; ADI Design Museum | ITALY: A NEW COLLECTIVE LANDSCAPE, Milano; Maison&objet, Parigi 2022 EDIT Napoli, in collaboration with Paola Paronetto, Napoli 2021 EDIT Napoli, Napoli 2020 EDIT Napoli, in collaborazione con Swing Design Gallery, Napoli 2019 Circolo Del Design, HABITAT x Swing Design Gallery with Mazzucchelli1849, Torino; HABITAT x Swing Design Gallery with Mazzucchelli1849, Benevento; OSSERVATORIO, Cantiere Galli Design, “Forma”, Roma 2017 OTTOVOLANTE x Mondelliani, Silmo, Paris; Operae, Equilibrista Collection x Swing Design Gallery, Torino; SaloneSatellite – 20 anni di nuova creatività, Milano; White Young Innovative | WHITE IN THE CITY | Swing Design Gallery, Milano 2016 EQUILIBRISTA Mirrors x Swing Design Gallery, Benevento; Under35,  Italian Design, Triennale Design Museum, Milano; Operae, Equilibrista Collection x Swing Design Gallery, Torino; Mirror Mirror, Exworks, Vicenza; Salone Satellite, Milano-Rho

Riccardo Cenedella (Born in Turin in 1994. He lives and works in Turin)
Designer and sustainable material consultant graduated in MA Material Futures at Central Saint Martins. I am dedicated to creating bespoke, handcrafted objects inspired by material experimentation and the excess of waste. His practice is led by a hands-on approach focused on researching the possibilities to transform waste into functional objects and driven by the curiosity to give value to undesirable materials. His work can be seen as a way to create awareness about overconsumption and waste production. His work has been exhibited at the London Design Festival, Milan Design Week, ADI Design Museum in Milan, HKDI Gallery in Hog Kong and Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. His work is represented by Aybar Gallery, Galerie Philia, SWING Design Gallery, Adorno Design and GOOD SESSION. EXHIBITIONS: 2025 DesignInspire 2025 – Hong KongConvention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong; EDIT Napoli, with Chroma Composites, Napoli IT 2024 GenD Vol. 2 – Dolce& Gabbana casa headquarter, Milan IT; Animism, ALCOVA, Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, Varedo IT 2023 NEW PERSPECTIVES IN GLASS; SWING Design Gallery, Benevento; ITALY: A New Collective Landscape, ADI Design Museum, Milan IT; Beautiful Garbage at COLLECTIBLE (with Good Session), Bruxelles BE 2022 EDIT Naples; CARPET MATTER; SWING Design Gallery, Benevento; No Space for Waste, Isola Design District, Milan Design Week, Milan, Italy; Affordable ArtFair,  London, UK 2021 Project for a better futures, United Matters, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven,NL; Green Grads, London Design Fair, London, UK; TM Lighting gallery, London, UK; MA Material Futures Graduate showcase, London, UK.

Elissa Lacoste (Born in Le Creusot, France in 1994. She lives and works in Burgundy, France)
The French experimental designer received her master’s degree from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2018. Her work stems from her fascination with the wild, the unexplained, and the sensory. With unconventional, vibrant textures, her sculptural works oscillate between the real and the surreal. Fascinated by what materials are capable of, she explores different techniques by experimenting intuitively rather than resorting to traditional craft knowledge. EXHIBITIONS: 2025 WHEN IN ROME, Group show curated by Angela da Silva, SWING Design Gallery, Palazzo Antonelli, Rome; SAVOIR MATIERE, Group show by Objects with Narratives, Brussels; PAD, Booth by Objects with Narratives, Paris 2024 COLLECTIBLE FAIR, Group show by Objects With Narratives, Brussels; NOMAD CIRCLE, Booth by Second Nature Design Projects St. Moritz; FOLIACEUS LAMINAE, Solo show at Galerie Karsten Greve, St. Moritz; SIBYLLES, Group show by Chapelle XIV x Galerie Chloe Salgado, Paris 2023 GLOBAL TOOLS, Group show by Side Gallery, Barcelona; Design Miami x Podium Shanghai, Group show by 20C Gallery, Shanghai 2022 INFINITO VIVIENTE, Solo exhibition at Side Gallery, Barcelona 2022; Domesticated Matter Fictions, Group show by 20C Gallery, Shanghai; 2021 SUPER GROUP 2, Group show by Superhouse, New York; CABINET DE VIRTUOSITES, Group show by Galerie Philia, Paris; COLORS ETC,  Tripostal Lille 3000, Lille 2020 LA MANUFACTURE – A LABOR OF LOVE, Design is Capital, Lille; SUR FACE, Group show at Camp Design Gallery, Milan; Art Rotterdam, Group show by Everyday Gallery, Rotterdam 2019 Nature Morte/Nature Vivante, CID Le Grand-Hornu, Hornu; Nude, Group show by Everyday Gallery, Antwerp; Functional Art, Madrid Design Festival, Galería 6mas1, Madrid.

Studio Speculo (Wiktoria Bielicka: born in Mielec, Poland, in 1995; Filip Bielicki: born in Poznań, Poland in 1992. They lives and works in Warsaw, Poland)
Studio Speculo was launched in 2021. Wiktoria and Filip are graduated from Industrial Design at the School of Form in Poznań. “The idea of creating designed objects appeared when we made an attempt to recreate the old craft method of silvering mirrors. Now we work on combining new technologies with crafts. Working with craftsmen, we try to maintain the old methods of production, while exploring specific topics and pushing their boundaries. In our design and process of production we focus on 4 aspects: timeless design that will be passed down in the family, new technologies, craftsmanship and experiments on various levels.” EXHIBITIONS: 2025 Silver Holidays”, studio Jaskółka, Warsaw; Jutka, OBJEKT gallery, Warsaw; 3 days of design, “PERSONA” and “15 minutes of fame” exhibition ADORNO, Copenhagen; Polish Design” Exhibition during the Polish Presidency of the EU, Strasbourg, France 2024 VOGUE Poland, MSN, exhibition “New Wave of Polish Crafts”: Milan Design Week, ALCOVA, Milan Design Week 2023 Warsaw Art Fair, with Franciszek de Sage;  Dubai Design Week, Isola Design exhibition; Gdynia Design Days, exhibition of the Elle Decoration finalists “Young at the Start”; Łódź Design Festival, “must have” award for the Float mirror series and exibition.

Garance Vallée (Born in Paris in 1993. She lives and works in Paris)
Garance Vallée is an artist, architect and designer based in Paris. Garance Vallée merges the territories of architecture, art and design to explore new relationships between man, his body, space and objects, as well as their links with domesticity, everyday life and intimacy. This approach leads her to constantly rethink the place of man in his environment and his reconciliation with nature. Embodying a creative youth with uninhibited eclecticism, she breaks free from the rules of architectural design to deploy in all dimensions a total and open universe. From painting to drawing, from sculpture to architecture and installation, her organic works evolve naturally and testify to the importance she attaches to experimentation and the experience of the body in space. EXHIBITIONS & PROJECTS: 2024 Custom doors designed for Pied à Terre residence, Paris; Furniture designed for New Balance, Paris flag ship; Installation for Adidas, Paris flag ship 2023 “ tous ces objets qui n’en sont pas”, Almine Rech, Paris; Scenography Maison d’en face, La marche bleue, for Le théâtre du Châtelet, Paris; Rug collection designed for Nordic Knots; Group Show, Almine Rech, Brussels; Furniture collection produced by Bisa, Heaps & Wood 2022 Planted Air, installation for Design Miami, Perrier-Jouet; Shoe design for Paraboot; Immersive installation for Perrier-Jouet, Unique Design, Paris; Window display installation for Sandro, Paris 2021 Lighting collection for Garce Dimofski gallery; Installation Grotto, group show at Unique Design, Savannah; Installation set up design for Lacoste x Walk in paris campaign; PORTRAIT DE FAMILLE, Carvalho Park gallery, New-York; Limited furniture edition by SWING edition (SWING Design Gallery) Italy 2020Installation, group show at Unique Design Shanghai, Asia Now fair in Paris. Supported by Jerome Sans and Galerie Perrotin Shanghai; Scenography in situ for NIKE, flagship Paris; MATIÈRES COUPLÉES, show with Franck Pellegrino, Amelie Maison d’Art, Paris Design Week; Installation at BON MARCHÉ, for Estee Lauder; NIKE, limited edition packaging for the new Blazer; Wallcovering collection for ASTÉRÉ, ELITIS; NIKE Limited edition of « blazer designed by Garance », campaign EMEA 2020 + VOGUE video. 2019 Installation sculptural set up for the campaign Maison Martin Margiela fragrance; In situ installation for fashion show VIVETTA, Milan fashion week; MAGNA MATER, SWING Design Gallery, Benevento, Italy 2018 Drawings curated by Atelier 27 for Marriott hotel in Cyprus; TERRA, installation, Milan Design Week, Strategic footprints; Exhibiton at AREBOURS Paris, Fondation Lafayette Anticipation.