Th K van Lohuizenlaan 202
1095DW Amsterdam
On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2025, Amsterdam-based design studio Rive Roshan presented Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness. Against the backdrop of this complex sociopolitical moment—a period that can feel far-too-often dark—Chiaroscuro (literally translating to light-dark) is conceived as an offering of light, and a moment to honour the beauty and power that exist within and around all of us. The project was presented as part of 5VIE Design Week and was on view April 7-13 in Milan.
Within the installation, new glass works engage in a dance of light and colour, inspired by the extraordinary ordinary—moments that spark awe and ignite us, from the sky’s vastness reflected in a drop of water, to the oscillating resonance of a chanting voice. Chiaroscuro is an invitation to celebrate every act of light, no matter the size—for cumulatively, the designers believe, these acts have the potential to add up to something larger, and more powerful, than we can even imagine.
Cofounder Golnar Roshan says: “In a time of so much uncertainty, we felt driven to centre the everyday wonder that exists around us and the small human and natural acts that restore and inspire. We find these moments are both grounding and provide a sense of awe—and bring us closer to ourselves and one another.”
The intimate installation consists of a two-minute, forty-second long multi-sensory performance that features the designers’ new works in conversation with a custom light choreography directed by Rive Roshan and created in collaboration with Dutch light artist Bram van Ravenhorst, as well as an original soundscape by Dutch-Swedish composer Julian Enequist, featuring vocals by Iran-born, San Francisco-based Mahsa Vahdat, an internationally acclaimed singer and an advocate for women’s rights and freedom of expression. The scenography takes inspiration from chiaroscuro, an artistic technique that creates a pronounced contrast between areas of light and dark within a composition, first introduced during the Renaissance.
The design objects, light choreography, and soundscape were inspired by circadian rhythm—the 24-hour internal clock in our bodies that regulates natural oscillations of sleep and alertness by responding to light changes in our environment. The light- and soundscapes trace the journey of a day, from the soft, cool energy of early morning to a vibrant, active midday and back again to a warm sunset, as the world quiets. The score samples sounds from the collaborators’ own daily landscapes that uplift—from birdsong to moving water recorded in front of Rive Roshan’s studio and beyond, as well as, vocals evocative of the Persian lullabies Roshan herself grew up with.
Expanding on this last element, Roshan, who is of Iranian heritage, says, “The sound of a woman’s voice singing a lullaby, in any language, is so comforting. And the fact that women continue to sing, despite their voices being forbidden by some governments, exemplifies the beauty and power of these small acts. These are the voices that bring us to life; they offer a feeling of safety and hope to all. And that is the feeling we want people to leave with.” The enchanting voice of Mahsa Vahdat pays tribute to Iranian women, and women everywhere, who continue to face censorship.
American-born, Berlin-based design curator Anna Carnick, who served as the project’s advisor, observes: “By highlighting these seemingly small but important moments, these everyday acts of light, the designers intend to help visitors feel more connected to the world and one another. At the same time, they’re encouraging us to consider one simple, timely question: Where do we turn for strength in challenging moments?”
Rive Roshan’s new pieces include Colour Fields, six colour-shifting panels composed using glass marquetry, a technique developed by the studio that combines multiple glass textures to achieve an overarching effect that mimics the fluid reflection of light on water. In addition, the installation features two new animated wall lights, and, for the first time ever for the studio, an interactive light totem that responds directly to visitors’ presence with a warm, uplifting effect. As light shifts within the installation, the glass objects’ surfaces refract and reflect.
Cofounder Ruben de la Rive Box concludes: “Much of our work is inspired by the interaction of light, reflection, and colour, and the varying effects these have on our sense of the world, on both intimate and grand scales. In this new, time-based spatial work, we’re also reflecting on the ways in which the world is always shifting—and the importance of seeking light, and coming together, especially in times of darkness. Although as people we may speak different languages, and have different histories and stories, moments of everyday wonder and awe are universal; to us, art is a tool for highlighting these moments. With this in mind, together with our exceptional collaborators, we’ve aimed to create a design symphony.”
Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness was on view April 7-13 at Via Cesare Correnti 14 Milan as part of 5VIE Design Week.
An immersive installation combining light and sound, presenting new collectible design glass objects and lights, during Milan Design Week at 5vie – Via Cesare Correnti, 14, Milano
On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2025, Amsterdam-based design studio Rive Roshan presented Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness. Against the backdrop of this complex sociopolitical moment—a period that can feel far-too-often dark—Chiaroscuro (literally translating to light-dark) is conceived as an offering of light, and a moment to honour the beauty and power that exist within and around all of us. The project was presented as part of 5VIE Design Week and was on view April 7-13 in Milan.
Within the installation, new glass works engage in a dance of light and colour, inspired by the extraordinary ordinary—moments that spark awe and ignite us, from the sky’s vastness reflected in a drop of water, to the oscillating resonance of a chanting voice. Chiaroscuro is an invitation to celebrate every act of light, no matter the size—for cumulatively, the designers believe, these acts have the potential to add up to something larger, and more powerful, than we can even imagine.
Cofounder Golnar Roshan says: “In a time of so much uncertainty, we felt driven to centre the everyday wonder that exists around us and the small human and natural acts that restore and inspire. We find these moments are both grounding and provide a sense of awe—and bring us closer to ourselves and one another.”
The intimate installation consists of a two-minute, forty-second long multi-sensory performance that features the designers’ new works in conversation with a custom light choreography directed by Rive Roshan and created in collaboration with Dutch light artist Bram van Ravenhorst, as well as an original soundscape by Dutch-Swedish composer Julian Enequist, featuring vocals by Iran-born, San Francisco-based Mahsa Vahdat, an internationally acclaimed singer and an advocate for women’s rights and freedom of expression. The scenography takes inspiration from chiaroscuro, an artistic technique that creates a pronounced contrast between areas of light and dark within a composition, first introduced during the Renaissance.
The design objects, light choreography, and soundscape were inspired by circadian rhythm—the 24-hour internal clock in our bodies that regulates natural oscillations of sleep and alertness by responding to light changes in our environment. The light- and soundscapes trace the journey of a day, from the soft, cool energy of early morning to a vibrant, active midday and back again to a warm sunset, as the world quiets. The score samples sounds from the collaborators’ own daily landscapes that uplift—from birdsong to moving water recorded in front of Rive Roshan’s studio and beyond, as well as, vocals evocative of the Persian lullabies Roshan herself grew up with.
Expanding on this last element, Roshan, who is of Iranian heritage, says, “The sound of a woman’s voice singing a lullaby, in any language, is so comforting. And the fact that women continue to sing, despite their voices being forbidden by some governments, exemplifies the beauty and power of these small acts. These are the voices that bring us to life; they offer a feeling of safety and hope to all. And that is the feeling we want people to leave with.” The enchanting voice of Mahsa Vahdat pays tribute to Iranian women, and women everywhere, who continue to face censorship.
American-born, Berlin-based design curator Anna Carnick, who served as the project’s advisor, observes: “By highlighting these seemingly small but important moments, these everyday acts of light, the designers intend to help visitors feel more connected to the world and one another. At the same time, they’re encouraging us to consider one simple, timely question: Where do we turn for strength in challenging moments?”
Rive Roshan’s new pieces include Colour Fields, six colour-shifting panels composed using glass marquetry, a technique developed by the studio that combines multiple glass textures to achieve an overarching effect that mimics the fluid reflection of light on water. In addition, the installation features two new animated wall lights, and, for the first time ever for the studio, an interactive light totem that responds directly to visitors’ presence with a warm, uplifting effect. As light shifts within the installation, the glass objects’ surfaces refract and reflect.
Cofounder Ruben de la Rive Box concludes: “Much of our work is inspired by the interaction of light, reflection, and colour, and the varying effects these have on our sense of the world, on both intimate and grand scales. In this new, time-based spatial work, we’re also reflecting on the ways in which the world is always shifting—and the importance of seeking light, and coming together, especially in times of darkness. Although as people we may speak different languages, and have different histories and stories, moments of everyday wonder and awe are universal; to us, art is a tool for highlighting these moments. With this in mind, together with our exceptional collaborators, we’ve aimed to create a design symphony.”
Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness was on view April 7-13 at Via Cesare Correnti 14 Milan as part of 5VIE Design Week.
On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2025, Amsterdam-based design studio Rive Roshan presented Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness. Against the backdrop of this complex sociopolitical moment—a period that can feel far-too-often dark—Chiaroscuro (literally translating to light-dark) is conceived as an offering of light, and a moment to honour the beauty and power that exist within and around all of us. The project was presented as part of 5VIE Design Week and was on view April 7-13 in Milan.
Within the installation, new glass works engage in a dance of light and colour, inspired by the extraordinary ordinary—moments that spark awe and ignite us, from the sky’s vastness reflected in a drop of water, to the oscillating resonance of a chanting voice. Chiaroscuro is an invitation to celebrate every act of light, no matter the size—for cumulatively, the designers believe, these acts have the potential to add up to something larger, and more powerful, than we can even imagine.
Cofounder Golnar Roshan says: “In a time of so much uncertainty, we felt driven to centre the everyday wonder that exists around us and the small human and natural acts that restore and inspire. We find these moments are both grounding and provide a sense of awe—and bring us closer to ourselves and one another.”
The intimate installation consists of a two-minute, forty-second long multi-sensory performance that features the designers’ new works in conversation with a custom light choreography directed by Rive Roshan and created in collaboration with Dutch light artist Bram van Ravenhorst, as well as an original soundscape by Dutch-Swedish composer Julian Enequist, featuring vocals by Iran-born, San Francisco-based Mahsa Vahdat, an internationally acclaimed singer and an advocate for women’s rights and freedom of expression. The scenography takes inspiration from chiaroscuro, an artistic technique that creates a pronounced contrast between areas of light and dark within a composition, first introduced during the Renaissance.
The design objects, light choreography, and soundscape were inspired by circadian rhythm—the 24-hour internal clock in our bodies that regulates natural oscillations of sleep and alertness by responding to light changes in our environment. The light- and soundscapes trace the journey of a day, from the soft, cool energy of early morning to a vibrant, active midday and back again to a warm sunset, as the world quiets. The score samples sounds from the collaborators’ own daily landscapes that uplift—from birdsong to moving water recorded in front of Rive Roshan’s studio and beyond, as well as, vocals evocative of the Persian lullabies Roshan herself grew up with.
Expanding on this last element, Roshan, who is of Iranian heritage, says, “The sound of a woman’s voice singing a lullaby, in any language, is so comforting. And the fact that women continue to sing, despite their voices being forbidden by some governments, exemplifies the beauty and power of these small acts. These are the voices that bring us to life; they offer a feeling of safety and hope to all. And that is the feeling we want people to leave with.” The enchanting voice of Mahsa Vahdat pays tribute to Iranian women, and women everywhere, who continue to face censorship.
American-born, Berlin-based design curator Anna Carnick, who served as the project’s advisor, observes: “By highlighting these seemingly small but important moments, these everyday acts of light, the designers intend to help visitors feel more connected to the world and one another. At the same time, they’re encouraging us to consider one simple, timely question: Where do we turn for strength in challenging moments?”
Rive Roshan’s new pieces include Colour Fields, six colour-shifting panels composed using glass marquetry, a technique developed by the studio that combines multiple glass textures to achieve an overarching effect that mimics the fluid reflection of light on water. In addition, the installation features two new animated wall lights, and, for the first time ever for the studio, an interactive light totem that responds directly to visitors’ presence with a warm, uplifting effect. As light shifts within the installation, the glass objects’ surfaces refract and reflect.
Cofounder Ruben de la Rive Box concludes: “Much of our work is inspired by the interaction of light, reflection, and colour, and the varying effects these have on our sense of the world, on both intimate and grand scales. In this new, time-based spatial work, we’re also reflecting on the ways in which the world is always shifting—and the importance of seeking light, and coming together, especially in times of darkness. Although as people we may speak different languages, and have different histories and stories, moments of everyday wonder and awe are universal; to us, art is a tool for highlighting these moments. With this in mind, together with our exceptional collaborators, we’ve aimed to create a design symphony.”
Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness was on view April 7-13 at Via Cesare Correnti 14 Milan as part of 5VIE Design Week.
On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2025, Amsterdam-based design studio Rive Roshan presented Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness. Against the backdrop of this complex sociopolitical moment—a period that can feel far-too-often dark—Chiaroscuro (literally translating to light-dark) is conceived as an offering of light, and a moment to honour the beauty and power that exist within and around all of us. The project was presented as part of 5VIE Design Week and was on view April 7-13 in Milan.
Within the installation, new glass works engage in a dance of light and colour, inspired by the extraordinary ordinary—moments that spark awe and ignite us, from the sky’s vastness reflected in a drop of water, to the oscillating resonance of a chanting voice. Chiaroscuro is an invitation to celebrate every act of light, no matter the size—for cumulatively, the designers believe, these acts have the potential to add up to something larger, and more powerful, than we can even imagine.
Cofounder Golnar Roshan says: “In a time of so much uncertainty, we felt driven to centre the everyday wonder that exists around us and the small human and natural acts that restore and inspire. We find these moments are both grounding and provide a sense of awe—and bring us closer to ourselves and one another.”
The intimate installation consists of a two-minute, forty-second long multi-sensory performance that features the designers’ new works in conversation with a custom light choreography directed by Rive Roshan and created in collaboration with Dutch light artist Bram van Ravenhorst, as well as an original soundscape by Dutch-Swedish composer Julian Enequist, featuring vocals by Iran-born, San Francisco-based Mahsa Vahdat, an internationally acclaimed singer and an advocate for women’s rights and freedom of expression. The scenography takes inspiration from chiaroscuro, an artistic technique that creates a pronounced contrast between areas of light and dark within a composition, first introduced during the Renaissance.
The design objects, light choreography, and soundscape were inspired by circadian rhythm—the 24-hour internal clock in our bodies that regulates natural oscillations of sleep and alertness by responding to light changes in our environment. The light- and soundscapes trace the journey of a day, from the soft, cool energy of early morning to a vibrant, active midday and back again to a warm sunset, as the world quiets. The score samples sounds from the collaborators’ own daily landscapes that uplift—from birdsong to moving water recorded in front of Rive Roshan’s studio and beyond, as well as, vocals evocative of the Persian lullabies Roshan herself grew up with.
Expanding on this last element, Roshan, who is of Iranian heritage, says, “The sound of a woman’s voice singing a lullaby, in any language, is so comforting. And the fact that women continue to sing, despite their voices being forbidden by some governments, exemplifies the beauty and power of these small acts. These are the voices that bring us to life; they offer a feeling of safety and hope to all. And that is the feeling we want people to leave with.” The enchanting voice of Mahsa Vahdat pays tribute to Iranian women, and women everywhere, who continue to face censorship.
American-born, Berlin-based design curator Anna Carnick, who served as the project’s advisor, observes: “By highlighting these seemingly small but important moments, these everyday acts of light, the designers intend to help visitors feel more connected to the world and one another. At the same time, they’re encouraging us to consider one simple, timely question: Where do we turn for strength in challenging moments?”
Rive Roshan’s new pieces include Colour Fields, six colour-shifting panels composed using glass marquetry, a technique developed by the studio that combines multiple glass textures to achieve an overarching effect that mimics the fluid reflection of light on water. In addition, the installation features two new animated wall lights, and, for the first time ever for the studio, an interactive light totem that responds directly to visitors’ presence with a warm, uplifting effect. As light shifts within the installation, the glass objects’ surfaces refract and reflect.
Cofounder Ruben de la Rive Box concludes: “Much of our work is inspired by the interaction of light, reflection, and colour, and the varying effects these have on our sense of the world, on both intimate and grand scales. In this new, time-based spatial work, we’re also reflecting on the ways in which the world is always shifting—and the importance of seeking light, and coming together, especially in times of darkness. Although as people we may speak different languages, and have different histories and stories, moments of everyday wonder and awe are universal; to us, art is a tool for highlighting these moments. With this in mind, together with our exceptional collaborators, we’ve aimed to create a design symphony.”
Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness was on view April 7-13 at Via Cesare Correnti 14 Milan as part of 5VIE Design Week.
On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2025, Amsterdam-based design studio Rive Roshan presented Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness. Against the backdrop of this complex sociopolitical moment—a period that can feel far-too-often dark—Chiaroscuro (literally translating to light-dark) is conceived as an offering of light, and a moment to honour the beauty and power that exist within and around all of us. The project was presented as part of 5VIE Design Week and was on view April 7-13 in Milan.
Within the installation, new glass works engage in a dance of light and colour, inspired by the extraordinary ordinary—moments that spark awe and ignite us, from the sky’s vastness reflected in a drop of water, to the oscillating resonance of a chanting voice. Chiaroscuro is an invitation to celebrate every act of light, no matter the size—for cumulatively, the designers believe, these acts have the potential to add up to something larger, and more powerful, than we can even imagine.
Cofounder Golnar Roshan says: “In a time of so much uncertainty, we felt driven to centre the everyday wonder that exists around us and the small human and natural acts that restore and inspire. We find these moments are both grounding and provide a sense of awe—and bring us closer to ourselves and one another.”
The intimate installation consists of a two-minute, forty-second long multi-sensory performance that features the designers’ new works in conversation with a custom light choreography directed by Rive Roshan and created in collaboration with Dutch light artist Bram van Ravenhorst, as well as an original soundscape by Dutch-Swedish composer Julian Enequist, featuring vocals by Iran-born, San Francisco-based Mahsa Vahdat, an internationally acclaimed singer and an advocate for women’s rights and freedom of expression. The scenography takes inspiration from chiaroscuro, an artistic technique that creates a pronounced contrast between areas of light and dark within a composition, first introduced during the Renaissance.
The design objects, light choreography, and soundscape were inspired by circadian rhythm—the 24-hour internal clock in our bodies that regulates natural oscillations of sleep and alertness by responding to light changes in our environment. The light- and soundscapes trace the journey of a day, from the soft, cool energy of early morning to a vibrant, active midday and back again to a warm sunset, as the world quiets. The score samples sounds from the collaborators’ own daily landscapes that uplift—from birdsong to moving water recorded in front of Rive Roshan’s studio and beyond, as well as, vocals evocative of the Persian lullabies Roshan herself grew up with.
Expanding on this last element, Roshan, who is of Iranian heritage, says, “The sound of a woman’s voice singing a lullaby, in any language, is so comforting. And the fact that women continue to sing, despite their voices being forbidden by some governments, exemplifies the beauty and power of these small acts. These are the voices that bring us to life; they offer a feeling of safety and hope to all. And that is the feeling we want people to leave with.” The enchanting voice of Mahsa Vahdat pays tribute to Iranian women, and women everywhere, who continue to face censorship.
American-born, Berlin-based design curator Anna Carnick, who served as the project’s advisor, observes: “By highlighting these seemingly small but important moments, these everyday acts of light, the designers intend to help visitors feel more connected to the world and one another. At the same time, they’re encouraging us to consider one simple, timely question: Where do we turn for strength in challenging moments?”
Rive Roshan’s new pieces include Colour Fields, six colour-shifting panels composed using glass marquetry, a technique developed by the studio that combines multiple glass textures to achieve an overarching effect that mimics the fluid reflection of light on water. In addition, the installation features two new animated wall lights, and, for the first time ever for the studio, an interactive light totem that responds directly to visitors’ presence with a warm, uplifting effect. As light shifts within the installation, the glass objects’ surfaces refract and reflect.
Cofounder Ruben de la Rive Box concludes: “Much of our work is inspired by the interaction of light, reflection, and colour, and the varying effects these have on our sense of the world, on both intimate and grand scales. In this new, time-based spatial work, we’re also reflecting on the ways in which the world is always shifting—and the importance of seeking light, and coming together, especially in times of darkness. Although as people we may speak different languages, and have different histories and stories, moments of everyday wonder and awe are universal; to us, art is a tool for highlighting these moments. With this in mind, together with our exceptional collaborators, we’ve aimed to create a design symphony.”
Chiaroscuro: A Light in the Darkness was on view April 7-13 at Via Cesare Correnti 14 Milan as part of 5VIE Design Week.