Yasaman Nedjati

set designer and scenographer based in Berlin
Yasaman Nedjati

moody mazes

an event in Milan for Milan

project
academic project / Contest Design Studio
institution
Politecnico di Milano
format
group project
period
winter 2024
city
Milan, Italy
supervisors
Peter Di Sabatino / Frank Clementi / Monica Mozzolani
teammates
Sofia Marietti / Fiorenza Ratti / Benedetta Spada / Nihan Taspinar

We created four different mazes, entirely moon time-based, that can reveal, during the lunar phases, hidden environments where visitors can lose themselves and be guided by glares and games of light to find the right way to the moon and exit from those immersive spaces that envelop them.

Moon analysis

The phases of the moon play a foundational role in the magical realm and are essential for aligning with cosmic influences. Each phase comes with its unique symbols, powers, and correspondences. It affects not only water and crops but also has significant impacts on the physical and spiritual energies of animals and humans.

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Phasing + transformation

A plan of action crafted to accomplish our time-based design incorporated strategies of phasing and transformation, guiding us effectively through the design process.

These two strategies served as guides, enabling us to develop the project. Every design choice supports the creation of a time-based project in which the elements continually change in relation to the lunar phases.

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Concept

We established a series of labyrinths adjacent to significant landmarks in Milan. Each labyrinth has distinct characteristics of shape, material, and structure, adapting to its context while sharing a path to lose oneself in, a central core, and a source of light.

The Moon enters each core through a sequence of transformations: a mirror ball, mirror walls, a water mirror, and finally pure light.

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Discomoon

Colonne di San Lorenzo

The first maze transforms the Moon into a mirror ball. Circular blocks move counterclockwise with its orbit, producing changing passages and reflections. The path to the core is guided by light whose intensity changes throughout the lunar phases.

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Spacemoon

Università Statale di Milano

At the center of the second labyrinth, four mirror walls and a mirror roof form an immersive core. The walls open gradually through the lunar cycle, revealing reflected light and pathways through the maze.

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Watermoon

Villa Belgiojoso

The third labyrinth is formed by a water-covered platform and a dense layer of fog. A circular grid at its center releases rain with an intensity synchronized to the Moon, creating a reflective surface and an ephemeral space.

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Darkmoon

Piazza Cairoli

The fourth maze is a sphere divided into two halves across the city and the underground metro. Its mirrored exterior and changing internal light move between darkness and brightness as the lunar phases progress.

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Schedule and navigation

an all-year event

Moody Mazes spans one year in Milan. The four installations are constructed and activated in different months according to the lunar calendar, with the communication system guiding visitors between their locations.

Project video

About

I work across architecture, scenography, and design. I'm interested in how people experience space, especially in cities, and how stories can change the way a place is perceived. For me, projects are often a way to investigate a question and understand a subject rather than arrive at a fixed answer.

Contact

yasamannedjati@gmail.com

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