Yesterday, July 5th, was my birthday. No cake, no guests. This year, I spent the day with my daughter on a trip to the Marker Wadden, because I love water, the Dutch Wadden Islands, nature and photography.

Upon entering the inner courtyard of Palazzo Litta during Milan Design Week 2025, my gaze was immediately drawn to an expansive surface of terracotta-coloured, sand-like material. An earthy ground layer that covered the square in a single, unbroken gesture. Above it hung a large banner, printed in both English and Korean: “Nobody owns the land / 땅은 누구의 소유도 아니다.” A powerful opening to an exhibition where materiality, trace, and connectedness took centre stage. No loud spectacle, no design as performance. Instead, a quiet installation where clay, memory, and the act of making played the leading roles.

Photo by Khai Islam