ARKET and Laila Gohar Spin Surreal, Reimagined Carousel at Milan Design Week
Where fruits and vegetables replaced horses in a theatrical public installation.
Summary
- ARKET and Laila Gohar transformed a 300‑year‑old German carousel into a surreal rotating garden at Milan Design Week 2026
- Monumental fruits and vegetables replaced traditional figures, inviting direct visitor interaction
- The collaboration also marked Gohar’s debut ready‑to‑wear collection of 27 pieces
At the heart of the Giardino delle Arti, a 300-year-old fairground relic from Wiesbaden, Germany, has been transformed into a surrealist, rotating garden by ARKET and New York artis Laila Gohar. Premiered during Milan Design Week 2026, this reimagined carousel is a co-created public installation that serve as both a sculptural landmark and an interactive stage set.
Rooted in everyday beauty yet elevated through theatrical design, the installation became one of the week’s most unexpected and inclusive highlights. By retaining the original structure but replacing its figures with monumental fruits and vegetables, the installation highlighted continuity and transformation — honoring craftsmanship while inviting contemporary reinterpretation. Seating was carved into the forms with minimal intervention, allowing visitors to engage directly with the installation.
The collaboration also marked Gohar’s debut in ready-to-wear, with a 27-piece collection available through ARKET’s online and physical stores.
