Lanza Atelier, the distinguished Mexican design studio and future architect of the Serpentine Pavilion, has captivated audiences with its latest exhibition, "Azul y Verde," hosted at AGO Projects during Mexico City's vibrant art week. This showcase represents the studio's profound exploration of design diversity and material innovation, presenting a meticulously curated collection of furniture pieces. Embracing themes of contrast and perception, the exhibition features both novel creations and reinterpreted older designs, all crafted with a strong emphasis on sustainability through the ingenious use of reclaimed materials such as rebar and discarded sail fabric. This presentation underscores the studio's consistent commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and rethinking the relationship between objects, spaces, and human interaction, marking a significant milestone as their second solo endeavor with AGO Projects.
Lanza Atelier Unveils Eclectic "Azul y Verde" Collection at AGO Projects During Mexico City Art Week
In February 2026, amid the cultural effervescence of Mexico City art week, the acclaimed Mexican design studio Lanza Atelier, recently designated to design the prestigious Serpentine Pavilion, presented its captivating exhibition, "Azul y Verde," at the distinguished AGO Projects gallery. This event marked the studio's second solo show with the gallery, building upon a legacy of innovative and diverse design work since its establishment in 2015. The exhibition, conceived by studio co-founders Alessandro Arienzo and Isabel Abascal, delves into the intricate interplay of contrasts—both material and conceptual—and the subjective nature of perception, centralizing around the notion that "color as a fluid and evolving concept shaped by perception and culture."
Situated in a sun-drenched glass gallery within an office building on the bustling Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, the exhibition's visual anchor is an expressive quarter-circle rug, ingeniously divided into vibrant green and blue sections. This unifying element visually embodies the show's core theme: the dissolution of apparent contrasts. A highlight of the collection includes angular sofas and armchairs made from powder-coated steel, elegantly upholstered with up-cycled white boat sail material, meticulously stitched with delicate blue thread, creating a striking textural and chromatic juxtaposition. Furthermore, a series of wooden chairs with wicker seats challenge conventional viewpoints, featuring double backs and unconventional orientations, inviting viewers to question their perceptions.
The display also features functional and sculptural pieces such as scaffolding-like wooden shelves, a high-gloss Black Flower table with a gear-like top accompanied by chairs that form a perfect circle when pushed in, and a polished aluminum coffee table with a unique glass top designed to showcase objects beneath. On the sculptural front, a life-sized aluminum and foam recreation of a sea coconut adds an element of whimsical artistry. A series of metal works, notably a lamp with a curvilinear wrought-iron stem supporting a delicate paper lantern, beautifully exemplifies the contrast between robust rebar and fragile paper. As Alessandro Arienzo highlighted, the studio treats objects and furniture with the same architectural ethos, demonstrating that scale is no impediment to their creative vision. This exhibition not only celebrates Lanza Atelier's versatility but also reinforces their pioneering role in sustainable and conceptually rich design.
This exhibition serves as a compelling testament to the power of thoughtful design, illustrating how everyday materials can be transformed into pieces of art that provoke thought and challenge conventional aesthetics. Lanza Atelier's "Azul y Verde" not only showcases their exceptional craftsmanship and innovative use of recycled elements but also encourages a deeper contemplation of how we perceive our environment and the objects within it. The studio's commitment to blending functionality with profound conceptual narratives sets a high standard for contemporary design, inspiring a future where sustainability and artistic expression coexist harmoniously. Their work reminds us that true creativity often lies in the ability to find beauty and purpose in contrasts, prompting viewers to reconsider the boundaries between art, utility, and environmental responsibility.