Work by Matt Gagnon outside Gaggenau's Miami showroom.
Photo: Courtesy Gaggenau

Gaggenau Taps Two Artists to Inaugurate New Miami Flagship

Works by Matt Gagnon and Stefanie Hering enliven the space in a celebration of materiality

Rarely do fantastic works of art and high-performance kitchens go together. Collectors would never dream of displaying valuable treasures in such volatile environments. But leave it to Gaggenau, the high-end home appliance maker, to bring the two worlds together in such an elegant and meaningful way.

For the brand’s astonishingly beautiful new showroom in Miami’s Design District, Gaggenau tapped artists Matt Gagnon and Stefanie Hering to create custom pieces that reflect the German kitchen innovator’s unique use of materials and dedication to craftsmanship.

Gaggenau Miami's showroom. Photo: Courtesy Gaggenau

Gagnon’s ability to perceive and combine light and materials comes to life in his series of “Light Stack Sculptures,” as each work melds both an architectural ordered sensibility with an otherworldly sense of color. Mixing concrete, aluminum, oak, pine, and painted MDF, these totem-like works make the viewer reconsider their biases toward these elements. “I think that each material has a certain emotional resonance for people,” says Gagnon, who studied architecture at Cornell University and worked in the studios of legends Frank Gehry and Gaetano Pesce. “Each work is very much an exploration of how materials resonate with each other, and that’s a reflection of the built environment.”

Artist Matt Gagnon's Light Stack sculpture. Photo: Courtesy Gaggenau

In Gaggenau’s Miami showroom, Gagnon’s works are installed both inside and on the seventh-floor terrace. Depending on the backdrop, the pieces are completely transformed, even with the changing time of day. Outside, the columns shift in their intensity of color and luminescence as day turns to night. “The glass pieces throughout the day are constantly changing and that was really nice to see happen, especially in the context with the city skyline from the seventh-floor terrace,” explains the artist, whose work has been commissioned by Peter Marino for Chanel and Louis Vuitton boutiques.

Gagnon’s works perfectly complement the showroom, which was designed by Munich-based firm 1zu33. It features a curated journey through the luxury brand’s history, which dates to 1683, and Gagnon’s Gray Blue light stack will remain on permanent display in the space.

Stefanie Hering. Photo: Courtesy Gaggenau

Also incorporated into the Miami flagship—one of 60 Gaggenau has globally—are works by porcelain tableware artist Stefanie Hering, whose brand is Hering Berlin. Bridging the line between form and function, her machine-washable tabletop pieces are used for all entertaining, including special dinners executed by Gaggenau’s Michelin-starred chef partners as well as large-scale bowls showcased on tables and counters throughout.

“Everything is about being all around the table and enjoying food,” says Hering, who is trained as a ceramist and holds a master craftsman’s certificate. Her unique porcelain objects can be found on the tables of internationally renowned restaurants including Per Se, Quince, Guy Savoy, and the Fat Duck. “Guests here can feel the quality of the craftsmanship.” For the larger pieces on the table, Hering explains that they are the absolute largest size of porcelain that you can get through the kiln.

Work by Stefanie Hering. Photo: Volker Conradus

The triumph of their scale is further emphasized by the tiny holes punched out of their generous rims. “These are highly collectible, but you can use them every day,” remarks Hering.

That sentiment runs through every aspect of the Gaggenau flagship—showing how form and function truly come together in beautiful, meaningful ways. It’s present in the fully functional 400 series Gaggenau kitchen on display as well as the spectacular works of Gagnon and Hering alike.

Cover: Work by Matt Gagnon outside Gaggenau's Miami showroom.
Photo: Courtesy Gaggenau

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