ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sergio Mannino's meditative design at Bushwick Open Studios

festival-fair · 2026-05-05

The 11th edition of Bushwick Open Studios, New York's largest artist-run event, concluded with a subdued atmosphere due to 28°C weather and gentrification protests. Among the highlights was "Room For Ritual," a pop-up show by Italian designer Sergio Mannino, who moved his studio from Dumbo to Bushwick less than a year ago. The exhibition features "Cento Storie #67," a red oak wood piece inviting visitors to place a personally meaningful object on it, and a Tatami mat for meditation. Mannino's work, inspired by Jean Baudrillard's critique of obscenity in hyperreal objects, aims to reintroduce ritual and time into object interaction. The show is part of a research series begun in 2002 with "Memphis Post-Design" in Milan, curated by Ettore Sottsass. This year, marking Sottsass's centenary, Mannino produced another piece from that series: an altar for objects. Creative director Martina Guandalini noted Bushwick's industrial authenticity contrasts with Dumbo's luxury condos.

Key facts

  • Bushwick Open Studios 11th edition concluded with subdued participation due to heat and gentrification protests.
  • Sergio Mannino presented 'Room For Ritual' pop-up show during the event.
  • Mannino moved his studio from Dumbo to Bushwick less than a year ago.
  • The exhibition includes 'Cento Storie #67,' a red oak wood piece for placing personal objects.
  • A Tatami mat invites meditation before the chosen object.
  • Mannino's work references Jean Baudrillard's concept of obscenity in hyperreal objects.
  • The series began in 2002 with 'Memphis Post-Design' in Milan, curated by Ettore Sottsass.
  • 2022 marks the centenary of Ettore Sottsass's birth.
  • Martina Guandalini is Creative Director of Mannino studio.
  • Bushwick retains industrial character with high Hispanic population and working-class presence.

Entities

Artists

  • Sergio Mannino
  • Ettore Sottsass
  • Martina Guandalini

Institutions

  • Artribune
  • Off Site Art
  • ArtBridge

Locations

  • Bushwick
  • New York
  • Brooklyn
  • Dumbo
  • Milan
  • Italy
  • United States

Sources