Arket collaborates with Laila Gohar on interactive carousel installation in Milan
ARKET and Laila Gohar present the ARKET Laila Gohar carousel installation in Milan as a temporary public installation at Giardino delle Arti during Milan Design Week 2026, introducing the spatial dimension of their SS26 ready-to-wear collaboration. The project marks Gohar’s first entry into fashion design, translating her multidisciplinary practice into an immersive environment that connects clothing, food-based imagery, and object design. Born in Cairo and based in New York, Laila Gohar is known for her work across installation art and culinary performance, where familiar materials are activated through scale, texture, and participation.
The ARKET Laila Gohar carousel installation is structured around a historic fairground ride dating back to the late eighteenth century. The original ornamental figures have been replaced with large-scale sculptural fruits and vegetables, fabricated to maintain recognisable proportions while amplifying their physical presence. These elements are mounted onto the rotating platform, preserving the mechanical system of the carousel while altering its visual language. The intervention retains the antique structure as a working framework, allowing the installation to function as both heritage object and contemporary public art piece.
Each sculptural form is defined by minimal intervention. A single incision is introduced into the volume of each fruit or vegetable, enabling seating without fragmenting the object. The surfaces remain intact, with smooth finishes that reinforce their familiarity while supporting repeated use by visitors. This approach reflects Gohar’s method of working with existing forms, where transformation occurs through precise adjustments. The installation operates as a temporary architecture that accommodates movement, interaction, and rest, positioning the carousel as an active spatial device.
The project extends beyond the physical installation through a series of programmed events. On 20 April, the opening includes a live performance by the London Vegetable Orchestra, a collective that constructs musical instruments from fresh produce. This performance aligns with Gohar’s ongoing engagement with food as both medium and subject. During the same day, visitors are invited to participate in workshops focused on creating vegetable instruments, introducing a participatory layer that connects audience, material, and sound. These activities reinforce the installation’s role as an interactive stage rather than a static display.
Running from 20 to 24 April between 12 PM and 8 PM, the ARKET Laila Gohar carousel installation in Milan forms part of the broader network of Milan Design Week interventions, activating Giardino delle Arti as a site of temporary public programming. Visitors receive a ticket upon entry, redeemable at the ARKET Milan store for an exclusive giveaway, linking the installation to the retail launch of the SS26 collection. The collaboration reflects ARKET’s engagement with contemporary creative practices, extending its design approach into installation, performance, and public space.
All images credit: Arket / Laila Gohar
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