The exhibition The Mirror of Emotion by HC28 maison explores contemporary living through an immersive journey shaped by four leading figures in international design: Ma Yansong, Yabu Pushelberg, Marcel Wanders, and Pearson Lloyd. Known for its high-end furniture and bespoke modular cabinet systems, the brand presents a manifesto of its design philosophy — rooted in Asian aesthetics while embracing a global creative dialogue.
The exhibition unfolds like a contemporary urban district. Visitors first walk through a “gallery” showcasing the brand’s signature pieces, then enter domestic settings staged as immersive living environments. The journey culminates in a central plaza featuring Moodcraft, Ma Yansong’s reflective installation that questions perception and the nature of reality itself.
Ma Yansong and the Moodcraft Installation: A Poetics of Reflected Space
With Moodcraft, Ma Yansong introduces a suspended object reminiscent of a spacecraft from another dimension. Its mirrored surfaces refract the surrounding environment, creating visual effects where space dissolves and recomposes into unexpected fragments.
According to the architect, the installation does more than mirror its context — it reshapes perception. Familiar images are inverted, tilted, or broken apart, prompting visitors to question whether what they see is truly real or simply the result of deeply rooted visual habits.
Yabu Pushelberg: Global Forms Between Chinese Tradition and Contemporary Sensibility
Yabu Pushelberg presents a series of furnishings that blend an international perspective with a keen understanding of Chinese living habits. Through a refined design language, the studio reinterprets traditional elements and integrates them into contemporary domestic scenarios.
“We wanted to highlight the beauty of form, color, and structure,” explains Glenn Pushelberg. These qualities — deeply connected to Chinese craftsmanship and architecture — are reframed through a Western lens, giving the pieces a bold and expressive character.
Pearson Lloyd: Balance Between Eastern Philosophy and Functional Logic
The design concept by Pearson Lloyd draws from Chinese philosophy — particularly the yin-yang principle — and the sculptural language of Richard Serra. The resulting collection examines how subtle shifts in perspective can influence spatial perception and emotional response.
“A mirror always gives us a partial version of ourselves,” notes Luke Pearson. Their mirrored table playfully suggests not taking oneself too seriously: the reflected image is always incomplete, fragmented, ever-changing.
Marcel Wanders: Visual Poetry and Material Expression
In his collaboration with HC28 maison, Marcel Wanders blends sculptural form with functional aesthetics. The chaise longue, inspired by the elegance of a peacock, is conceived as an object that celebrates beauty for its own sake.
“I wanted the chaise longue to feel sculptural, almost like a peacock,” Wanders shares. Through meticulous attention to detail, materiality, and proportion, the designer transforms a creative gesture into an iconic and instantly recognizable piece.
A Cross-Cultural Dialogue Shaping the Future of HC28 Maison
The interpretations by Yabu Pushelberg, Marcel Wanders, and Pearson Lloyd narrate a vision of living where functionality meets emotion and surprise. At the same time, Ma Yansong’s Moodcraft adds a more introspective dimension, activating a perceptual interplay of light, space, and movement.
The exhibition becomes a platform for cultural exchange and a creative laboratory where HC28 maison defines its identity — a synthesis of Asian aesthetics and international sensibilities, crafted to envision future lifestyles.
Project Information
Curated by: HC28 maison
Photo Credits:
Space: Hanmo Vision – Yi Gao, Lin Shu, Guan Li
Group Portrait: Ruohan Deng