USM in partnership with the transdisciplinary architecture studio Snøhetta, is proud to announce Renaissance of the Real, a multisensory installation by Swiss artist and experience designer Annabelle Schneider. Debuting at the prestigious Fondazione Luigi Rovati during Milan Design Week, the project invites visitors to step outside digital acceleration and rediscover the sensory intelligence of the physical body.

The Vision: Presence Cannot Be Downloaded

We live in an era of hyper-connectivity, yet feel increasingly disconnected from our surroundings. While algorithms shape our desires more than reality, our attention becomes fragmented. Renaissance of the Real serves as a conceptual counterpoint to this digital saturation. The installation explores how carefully designed physical spaces can restore presence, perception, and human connection in an age increasingly shaped by technology.

The installation marks a new chapter in Schneider’s evolving body of work, following earlier iterations of her bubble-like immersive experiences presented internationally since 2024. While rooted in her ongoing exploration of presence and sensory awareness, Renaissance of the Real expands the practice into a more architectural and site-responsive dimension.

Snøhetta is a global, transdisciplinary practice focusing on architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, art and product design. Projects often integrate a combination of interests, with their first significant commission being the revival of the ancient Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt in 1989. Snøhetta shares its name with the beautiful, remote, and culturally important mountain in central Norway. Creating places for people and communities to connect with each other and with the world around them is a primary motivation in Snøhetta’s work.

www.snohetta.com
@snohetta

USM presents the renowned artist and picture book author Kasing Lung, creator of The Monsters. Together, they reveal the Beautiful Thing! collection, consisting of a limited-edition collectable piece and a special USM furniture collection adorned with the artist's illustrations.

The Monsters is a collection of mischievous and curious toy characters, inspired by Nordic folklore. The collection features Labubu as its most famous collectable – a global icon and coveted fashion accessory.

The Artist: Connecting Worlds 

When Kasing Lung moved to Europe with his parents at a young age, he began reading picture books to learn the language. This sparked his love for illustration and his fascination with mystical folklore. While bridging the cultural gap between his native China and his new home in Europe in real life, he entered a fantastic world of creativity. His debut children’s book Oki won first place in the European Picture Book Competition in 2003. After teaming up with Hong Kong-based designer toy brand HOW2WORK he launched a series of toys and books, laying the foundation of the world of The Monsters.

In recent years, Lung has shifted his creative focus to art, and his works have gained widespread appreciation among collectors and audiences alike. His paintings have been featured in exhibitions all over Asia and Europe.

The Collection:

Beautiful Thing! This collaboration also presents the exclusive limited-edition Beautiful Thing! collectible piece. A USM glass display cabinet, adorned with the artist’s illustration, houses the exclusive co-branded Labubu character Bob and a dedicated USM mini seat. Each set comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist Kasing Lung, and an NFC-authenticated unique collector’s code.

Both the limited-edition collectable set as well as the special USM collection will be available through the iconic luxury department store and authorized USM sales partner, Lane Crawford.