During a buzzing Mexico City Art Week, deftly curated platform Unique Design X once again brings together the beguiling universes of functional art, collectible design, fashion, and skate for an international audience, on view from February 6-9 at Expo Reforma.
First unveiled during Shanghai Art Week in 2019 as a cutting-edge collectible design endeavor, with eventual showcases in France and the U.S., the ever-evolving program continues to traverse the globe. This year, the platform sparks vital, new dialogues with a diverse community of artists, collectors, galleries, and institutions in vivacious Mexico City.
The Unique Design X 2025 Manifesto: “THIS IS NOT DESIGN”
Courtesy of Unique Design X.
Courtesy of Unique Design X.
“Our manifesto for 2025, CECI N’EST PAS DU DESIGN – THIS IS NOT DESIGN acts as a thought-provoking homage to the surrealist artist René Magritte whose vision sought to elevate the image, the dream, and the labyrinth of the human mind,” said Morgan Morris Sans, Founder and CEO of Unique Design Group.
“In this quest, we confront ourselves with the term “design” now depleted of all meaning or rather encapsulating so much meaning that all meaning is negated, and seek to give clarity and definition by replacing it with the terms collectible design and functional art,” added Morris Sans.
“As with Magritte, objects made by artists must serve a purpose beyond the functionality of the object itself, inviting us to contemplate not just what we see but what we have yet to understand with the conceptual enchantment needed to give life to innovative ideas.”
“As with Magritte, objects made by artists must serve a purpose beyond the functionality of the object itself,”
Morgan Morris Sans
The visionary founder brings a wealth of experience working within the art and design industries to every shining edition of the nomadic platform, from her beginnings at Sotheby’s in London to collaborations with th iconic Italian-American art dealer Leo Castelli.
Reflecting on a Far-Reaching Unique Design X Mexico City 2024
Courtesy of Unique Design X.
For the 2024 iteration of Unique Design X Mexico City, a far-reaching showcase of cultural heritage and individual expression was visible in creations by both emerging and established artists. Unfolding alongside sweeping events like ZONAMACO, Material Art Fair, and Salon ACME, Unique Design X proved to be a must-see presentation for art lovers and aficionados from around the world.
The platform’s masterful collective of designers and artists included Ewe Studios, Garance Vallée, Camillo Bernal, Xolo Cuintle, KRJST Studios, Serban Ionescu, Grond Studio, and many more.
The Annual Skate-Able Object Park
Courtesy of Unique Design X.
Courtesy of Unique Design X.
As a yearly, groundbreaking initiative of Unique Design X Design Group, a limited edition, skate-able obstacle course unfolds in each vibrant city. The installation is stunningly designed by a selected artist in honor of not-for-profit youth organizations.
In 2021, the jubilant skate-able object park within Unique Design X Miami was brought to life by British Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori in close collaboration with Tony Hawk’s The Skatepark Project. For 2024’s Unique Design X Mexico City, the ethereal concept of “Monument to Air” was realized by multidisciplinary artist Stefan Brüggemann.
“Exhibiting the skate-able sculptural moments to air at The Monument to Revolution square in Mexico City is a demonstration of the resonance of sound, voices and actions,” said Brüggemann. “Revolution is always in the air.”
This year’s event is sure to be another dazzling celebration of creativity, community, and connection.
Courtesy of Unique Design X.
