On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2024, 5VIE is proud to present Omi Iyọ, a poignant installation by rising star Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello. The timely work calls attention to the dangerous journeys of undocumented migrants from Africa to Europe, and serves as a poetic marker honoring the very real human toll of this crisis. The work is curated by Anna Carnick and will be on view April 15-21, 2024 in Milan as part of 5VIE Design Week.

Formally referencing the hull of a boat, Marcus-Bello’s polished, stainless steel piece acts as a mirror, offering a symbolic and literal moment of reflection for Design Week visitors. At the beginning of the week, Omi Iyọ—which means salt water in Yoruba, the designer’s mother tongue—will be filled with salt, which will flow from an aperture at the bottom of the object, resulting in a pattern of salt crystals below. With the elegance and quiet urgency of an hourglass, Marcus-Bello’s piece commands attention and dignifies the memory of those who make the treacherous, often deadly journey across the ocean.

Omi Iyọ made its global debut as a special commission at the Design Miami/ fair in December 2023. Carnick, who served as the fair’s 2023 Curatorial Director, invited Marcus-Bello to create the piece in response to the curatorial theme, “Where We Stand: Reflections on Place & Purpose.” The work was prominently placed at the fair’s entrance, immediately beside the curatorial statement, and presented by esteemed LA design gallery Marta. The creation of Omi Iyọ was generously supported by Hublot, which awarded Marcus-Bello the prestigious Hublot Design Prize in 2022.

In Milan, Marcus-Bello and Carnick bring a fresh approach to the work’s presentation, framing it within the context of a soulful setting for contemplation—and an opportunity to hold space to honor these far-too-often overlooked experiences and consider our collective responsibility to one another. In this spirit, the piece is also intimately linked to 5VIE’s 2024 theme, Unlimited Design Orchestra, which celebrates the beautiful imperative of our interconnectedness.

Given Italy’s role in the geo-political landscape and ongoing debates relating to migration, the duo note that Italy is a particularly resonant setting for the work. Marcus-Bello observes, “It was important to bring this work to Europe—and specifically to Italy—to share it with the international community who engage with Milan Design Week; to recognize the country’s prominent position in this urgent crisis; and, importantly, as a tribute to all those who have attempted, successfully
and not, journeys to its shores. So many people are directly impacted by this issue. The work is intended to spark a broader dialogue around the increasing rate of migration on the African and European continents, while respectfully centering the human impact.”