One of the best parts of the annual Salone del Mobile is the chance to view design work from university students. More than a few star designers quickly rose to fame after being discovered at one of the student exhibitions during this week-long fair. Of the several group shows, 
Haidar Mahdi: Cakedish, 2008
Hybridization and mutation of traditional ceramic ware has been a popular gesture in recent years. Many designers seem to simply combine classic and contemporary, or the beautiful and the ugly, for sheer novelty. Haidar's Cakedish is no mere mix of styles. An ode to excess, it employs vibrant colors, thick glazes, and mixed metaphors to comment on the superabundance of our times. (Click images for detail.)
