Lightful: Kwangho Lee's installation at Bottega Veneta boutique in Milan

Introduction

Lightful is an installation by South Korean designer Kwangho Lee, conceived for the Bottega Veneta boutique on Via Sant'Andrea in Milan. The project is designed to interact with the proportions and decorative details of an 18th-century ground-floor interior, creating a compact sensory experience.

Concept and approach

The installation stems from a dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and material experimentation. The central motif is weaving: both an aesthetic practice and a method linking the artist's language with the brand's manufacturing identity.

Materials and execution

The work blends atelier techniques with contemporary design solutions. Key materials and techniques include:

• leather straps worked according to the maison's methods;
• chromed seating surfaces that use reflection to amplify light;
• suspended elements integrated with light sources, where illumination becomes a formal and narrative component.

During the project's development the artist engaged with production ateliers to study leather workmanship, and the woven parts were hand-assembled with support from his Seoul studio.

Installation and spatial relationship

The piece is strongly site-specific: it was conceived to relate to the boutique's fountain, spatial proportions and architectural details. For the Milan installation Lee worked with the Bottega Veneta team to assemble the components on site, adapting them to the available space.

Why visit

• It offers a tactile and visual experience merging craftsmanship and contemporary design.
• It highlights the interplay between different materials: leather, metal and light.
• It showcases a design dialogue built around a real, historical interior.

Practical information

• Location: Bottega Veneta boutique, Via Sant'Andrea 15, Milan.
• Period: the installation was presented during Milan Design Week 2026; visits are possible during the shop's opening hours.
• Tip: check the boutique's opening times before going to ensure access to the installation.