A Milan Design Week exhibit encourages visitors to walk barefoot within a grand palace
A new exhibition during Milan Design Week 2025, curated by Moscapartners, is showcasing a site-specific installation by Korean architect Byoung Cho at the historic Palazzo Litta. Titled "Nobody Owns the Land: Earth, Forest, Mahk," the installation invites visitors to reflect on shared ownership of land and the intermingling of cultural identities, emphasizing the fluidity and interconnectedness between different traditions and geographies.
Byoung Cho's installation uses architectural language to investigate and express the complex dynamics of cultural encounter and the shared human condition, especially between Eastern and Western perspectives. The Korean concept of mahk, found in traditional ceramics, is incorporated into the installation, symbolizing an imperfect and spontaneous approach to creation.
The installation's centerpiece is a low, geometric shape filled with bright red soil, serving as a visually striking and thought-provoking centerpiece. The phrase "Nobody Owns the Land" is displayed above the red flooring, written in both English and Korean. Around the installation, there are abstract paintings by Cho, resembling trees in a forest.
Visitors are invited to walk on the constructed earth barefoot, creating an experiential moment. Byoung Cho describes the experience as a sanctuary in harmony with the sky of Palazzo Litta, inviting reflection on one's existence and the fragility of life.
The installation aims to deliver a message of peace, encouraging reflection on the essence of land beyond occupation and ownership. For daily inspiration, escapism, and design stories from around the world, visitors can subscribe to the installation's website newsletter.
To learn more about Moscapartners and their curated exhibitions, visit moscapartners.it. For more information about Byoung Cho and his architectural work, visit bchoarchitects.com.
In addition to Cho's installation, 24 exhibitors from twelve different countries elaborate on similar themes at Palazzo Litta. A showcase designed to address the needs of blind and visually impaired people complements the exhibitors' pieces. The Palazzo Litta in Milan hosts this thought-provoking exhibition, marking Byoung Cho's first work in Italy.
The installation's central message encourages visitors to reflect on the essence of land, going beyond occupation and ownership, making it a perfect addition for those interested in the home-and-garden lifestyle, where the connection to nature and cultural intermingling are emphasized. The exhibition, organized by Moscapartners, also includes 24 exhibitors from around the world, presenting similar themes on shared human experiences and cultural encounter, turning Palazzo Litta into a unique home-and-garden lifestyle showcase during Milan Design Week 2025.
