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Quotes by Kvadrat and Alain Biltereyst in Milan

Kvadrat presents graphic Quotes textiles by Alain Biltereyst in Milan

Danish textile brand Kvadrat has transformed the bold graphics of Belgian artist Alain Biltereyst into a collection of curtains and rugs, which created a colourful scenography during Milan design week.

Named Quotes, the collection combines geometric patterns with a range of textures, and a mix of neutral and soft-toned shades.

The designs follow the abstract style of Biltereyst's paintings, which are based on patterns that the artist encounters in city streetscapes, from building materials to commercial graphics.

Pink curtains by Alain Biltereyst Kavdrat's Quotes collection
The curtains and rugs were presented for Milan design week

"I take pictures wherever I go," Biltereyst explained during a press launch. "I'm inspired by urban graphics."

"I want people to discover the beauty of the everyday, not only the natural landscapes but the human-made forms and signs," he said. "They are the traces we leave behind as human beings."

The challenge for Kvadrat was turning these two-dimensional images into woven textiles.

"We have been working with different surfaces, techniques and layers to stay true to the beauty of Alain's paintings," said Kvadrat's creative director, Isa Glink.

"We didn't want to just rip off the graphics, but to stay true to the sensitivity and soul of his work."

Quotes curtains in Kvadrat's Corso Monforte showroom
They created a colourful scenography in the Corso Monforte showroom

Biltereyst worked with Kvadrat to create six untitled curtain designs for the Quotes collection, each with a distinctive graphic style.

One has a texture reminiscent of an artist's canvas, while another features a strong gridded pattern. There is also a design marked by tactile pillow-shaped forms and one with a bold typographic feel.

Dark curtains by Alain Biltereyst Kavdrat's Quotes collection
The designs feature the bold graphics of Belgian artist Alain Biltereyst

Kvadrat accompanies these with 10 "plains", which can be layered under Biltereyst's designs to create a variety of visual effects, from shimmering to matt finishes.

"You can see clearly how the graphics play with transparency and with light, and with very matte and very shiny surfaces," said Glink. "It's referencing the urban spirit of Alain's work."

The collection also includes five rug designs, which translate Biltereyst's graphics to hand-woven kelim.

Motifs include tile-like patterns, minimal outlines and block imprints.

Rug by Alain Biltereyst Kavdrat's Quotes collection
The designs are based on patterns found in urban environments

The Quotes collection took over Kvadrat's Corso Monforte showroom during Milan design week.

With a colour palette that combines monochrome shades with tones of pink, yellow, royal blue and forest green, the space offered a calming feel to visitors.

Curtains lined the double-height window wall, complemented by stools in matching shades, while the rugs defined various seating areas.

Yellow curtains by Alain Biltereyst Kavdrat's Quotes collection
There are six curtain designs and five rugs

The curtains are produced from natural and recyclable materials, including linen, wool, alpaca and cotton. Other components include a mix of polyester, recycled polyester and Trevira.

The rugs are all produced from New Zealand wool.

Kvadrat launched Quotes during Milan design week 2022, which took place from 6 to 12 June 2022. See our Milan design week 2022 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about other exhibitions, installations and talks from the week.

More images

Pink curtains by Alain Biltereyst Kavdrat's Quotes collection
Gridded curtains by Alain Biltereyst Kavdrat's Quotes collection
Black curtains by Alain Biltereyst Kavdrat's Quotes collection
Quotes curtains in Kvadrat's Corso Monforte showroom