Kartell at Salone del Mobile 2026: Where AI Art Meets Contemporary Design

A familiar white stand was reimagined through an unexpected layer of visual intensity as Kartell presented its latest collection at Salone del Mobile 2026. Set against a backdrop of expressive, painterly compositions – all generated through artificial intelligence (AI) – the display introduced a dialogue between product design and emerging digital processes, quietly challenging the boundaries of authorship and creation.

Within this gallery-like setting, new pieces by designers including Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, and Jay Osgerby, alongside Edward Barber, were positioned against large-scale AI-generated artworks. Landscapes, still lifes, and figurative scenes formed a vivid counterpoint to the precision of the objects, introducing a layer of ambiguity, one that invited viewers to question the origin and intent of the images without explicit explanation.

This approach reflects a longer-standing engagement with AI within the brand’s design process. Since the introduction of Starck’s A.I. Chair in 2019 – developed through generative design software to optimise material use and form – Kartell has continued to explore how technology can support efficiency, reduce development time, and expand creative possibilities. The integration of AI-generated jacquard textiles in recent pieces, such as the Lillybet chair by Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba, further extended this trajectory.

The 2026 collection built on this foundation. Among its key introductions was the Savoia chair by Barber Osgerby, a refined composition that contrasted slender die-cast aluminium with softer materials such as wood, leather, and recycled thermopolymer. Its lightness and structural clarity reflected a continued emphasis on innovation, while subtly moving beyond the brand’s traditional reliance on plastic.

Across the stand, more than 25 new products were presented, including contributions from Erwan Bouroullec alongside expanded collections by Starck and Urquiola. The launch of Raritas, a new platform dedicated to collectable design, further signalled a shift toward broader creative exploration.

In this context, Kartell’s installation read as more than a presentation. It formed a layered proposition where material, technology, and image intersect, and where design continues to evolve between physical and digital realms.