Every year since 2012, COS chooses a special artist, designer or architect to create an installation for Salone del Mobile in Milan. This year they tapped Phillip K. Smith III, a Palm Springs-based artist who?s known for his light-based installations that challenge the viewer?s perception of their surroundings. The use of mirrors is one of Smith?s three artistic styles and the material of choice he?s chosen for this year?s installation, ?Open Sky,? a reflective mirror installation that uses the sky and Italian architecture that surrounds it as part of the installation itself.

Situated inside a courtyard of the 16th century Palazzo Isimbardi, ?Open Sky? seems to unfold itself the closer you walk towards it to reveal the reflections of the ever-present sky and the Renaissance architecture that surrounds it. The mirrored installation changes its blank canvas over time as the day goes from morning to night, changing the colors of the installation itself. The sky is pulled to the ground and what used to seem like a confined space now opens up new dimensions and perspectives for the viewer.
In the palazzo’s adjoining garden, Smith set up an additional five mirrored installation, this time to highlight nature instead of architecture.

For COS?s Creative Director Karin Gustafsson, Smith?s unique perspectives of the world is just one of the reasons that attracted COS to the artist. In March, we caught up with Gustafsson to learn more about this year?s collaboration.
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