Each week, Kristen de La Vallière, design curator, editor and founder of say hi to_, asks three questions to our participants. Today Kristen talks with the Amsterdam-based interior designer and curator Mia Karlova.

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Kristen de la Vallière: 2020-2021 has been full of changes for the contemporary art and furniture industry. We often focus on the negatives of those, but we think it could be a very exciting time to see all of the positive changes it may have brought about. What do you think the future of collecting and exhibitions looks like?

Mia Karlova: This year of self-isolation has emphasised trends that existed before. This is not just the digitalisation of life. There are issues of loneliness in the physical world, or sometimes the opposite – a lack of privacy in our way of living. Sustainability in design and conscious consumption are also key concerns that have been highlighted by the pandemic. We stayed at home, stopped travelling, moved online, and started observing things we hadn’t noticed before. This change of focus has altered our perception of ordinary life. For COLLECTIBLE, the gallery presents a curated project “A life less ordinary”, showing how designers reflect on these changes. I believe collectors will find it important to perceive design from a different angle.

“Functional art is not just about shape, material or function. As any other art form, functional art is primarily about emotional connections.”

KdlV: What advice would you give to those looking to start their functional art collection?

MK: Functional art is not just about shape, material or function. As any other art form, functional art is primarily about emotional connections. We surround ourselves with objects which offer us the pleasure of contemplation. We collect because we find an illustration of our values and tastes. I would always recommend following your emotions. As in contemporary art, exploring the concept behind a particular piece may be an important part of discovering an object. Find a few minutes to talk to an author or a curator. It might reveal layers of deep meanings which would grant a different level of appreciation.

KdlV: How are events like COLLECTIBLE important for functional artists, galleries and collectors?

MK: All fairs are initially designed for collectors. It is an opportunity to see a significant number of objects in a short period of time. A specially dedicated design fair such as COLLECTIBLE provides an in-depth experience, which gives a collector access to a wide spectrum of vetted participants from individual designers and studios to emerging and established galleries active in the field. For any participant, a design fair is a place to meet new collectors, curators and designers. A platform to reach a wider audience and contribute to a designer’s career. 

About Mia Karlova (The Netherlands)

Founded in 2020 by Amsterdam-based interior designer and curator Mia Karlova, Mia Karlova Galerie specialises in functional sculpture, which pushes the boundaries between art and design while retaining environmental sustainability at its core.