Yacht builder Sanlorenzo repositions its brand identity in a notable shift for the company. Unveiled at Milan Design Week in an installation conceived by Piero Lissoni, Italian yacht builders Sanlorenzo have introduced 'Tomorrow's Timeless', a new visual identity and directive for the brand Photography by Tobias Kempe, Sanlorenzo unveiled UN_Material at Milan Design Week, an installation conceived by Piero Lissoni to announce its new brand directive: Tomorrow's Timeless Having mastered the art of yacht building over the last 60 years, Sanlorenzo is building upon its illustrious heritage with an evolution of the brand that sees it focus further on the evocative narratives intertwined into each creation, rather than purely spotlighting just the product itself. 'We've shifted from a product-led story to a brand-led one,' explains Renato Bisignani, the Chief Marketing Officer for the Italian design studio. 'We want to broaden our cultural horizon while staying true to rarity and our made-to-measure approach.' With a series of updates that positions the brand at the intersection of architecture, design and contemporary culture, the shift offers a glimpse into the purpose behind each creative endeavour, refocusing the lens onto the lifestyles and experiences that evolve around the yachts it creates. Milan Design Week provided a tangible starting point for Sanlorenzo to announce this new direction, with an immersive installation that took shape under the creative direction and guidance of Piero Lissoni. Photography by Tobias Kempe, Piero Lissoni and Sanlorenzo Executive Chairman Massimo Perotti pictured at the Milan Design Week installation in April Titled UN_Material, it was located within the Università degli Studi di Milano, as part of the wider exhibition INTERNI MATERIAE. Placed in the heart of one of the building's open courtyards, a full-scale cross-section of Sanlorenzo's upcoming SHE Yacht was constructed, inviting viewers to walk amongst it and experience its spatial configuration from another perspective. Crafted from semi-transparent canvas-like surface attached to a metal frame, the interplay of light and materiality was intended to present yachting as a discipline extending beyond the object itself, shaping fresh perceptions on space, form and experience. 'The brand is now seen as multifaceted,' says Bisignani, 'both as a benchmark of excellence and a cultural partner for architects, artists and the international design community.' Photography by Tobias Kempe, The installation invited visitors into the world of Sanlorenzo, provoking thoughts around the culture and lifestyle created through intentionally designed environments With Milan setting the stage for what's to come, the brand states that further expressions of Tomorrow's Timeless will be continued through a multi-channel advertising campaign and other large-format urban installations tied to targeted industry events. Developed in partnership with brand consultancy Landor, Sanlorenzo's new chapter is translating its design philosophy into a recognisable global brand language. 'It strengthens the brand's identity-driven and emotional dimension,' continues Bisignani. 'Time, elegance, perennity, the quality of experience, the value of design and centrality of wellbeing now define how Sanlorenzo is interpreted as a brand that builds meaning, imagination and the possibility of a dream lived with intention.' Appealing to its dedicated global community, Sanlorenzo is inviting their audience into a world they can recognise and aspire to, elevating and appreciating the depth of a beautifully crafted moment. With the upcoming launch of SHE pairing a classic 1960s Italian design aesthetic with the latest hybrid yachting technology, it speaks to the studio's unique ability to bridge the gap seamlessly between heritage and modernity. Speaking of the evolution of production in response to factors such as technology and sustainability, Bisignani says the focus is never technology itself. 'The challenge is using innovation to make yachts quieter, calmer, more efficient and more respectful of the environment, while preserving the beauty, elegance and emotional connection that defines Sanlorenzo,' he says. Photography by Tobias Kempe, Sanlorenzo's evolution over the past 60 years has seen it respond to the changing demands of the sector without compromising its signature design aesthetic The company has been investing into alternative propulsion and energy systems to help the sector evolve responsibly. However, as Bisignani says, these solutions only matter when integrated seamlessly into the architecture and onboard experience. 'Design must anticipate how people will want to live in the future,' he continues. 'Our role is to make that future effortless, desirable and timeless.' With Sanlorenzo's ethos firmly centred against fleeting trends and novelties, this new directive is a reminder in the beauty found in a commitment to permanence and longevity. With each vessel a celebration of craft and artisanal excellence, design is presented as an architectural discipline based on proportion, materiality and spatial intelligence. 'This ensures each yacht transcends the moment in which they are conceived and will remain relevant for decades, strengthened by our continuous exploration of innovative materials,' says Bisignani. 'And, announcing this new chapter in Milan allowed us to highlight how the brand continues to evolve, expanding its role from yacht builder to cultural protagonist.' Get a curated collection of design and architecture news in your inbox by signing up to our ICON Weekly newsletter

This week in art - 10 May - 17 May 2026. Your weekly roundup of the most important stories from the art world. Covering auctions, exhibitions, market trends, and more from 10 May - 17 May 2026. By Arts.Sale This week in art: 10-17 May 2026. The art world kicked into high gear this week as New York's major auction season launched with spectacular results, while exciting developments in Australia and beyond captured attention across the contemporary art landscape. From record-breaking Rothko sales to groundbreaking AI exhibitions and prestigious new prizes, it's been a week that reminded Arts why the global art market continues to thrive. Rothko masterpiece anchors Sotheby's massive $407M sale. Robert Mnuchin's prized Mark Rothko painting dominated headlines this week when it sold for an impressive $85.7 million at Sotheby's season-opening contemporary art auction. The sale, which totaled $407.5 million, featured eleven works from the late art dealer's collection and proved that appetite for blue-chip modern works remains robust. Beyond the headline Rothko result, the evening also established new auction records for emerging talents Ding Shilun and Yu Nishimura, signaling strong collector confidence in younger contemporary voices. Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi unveils Venice Biennale plans. Exciting news emerged from Australia this week as artist Khaled Sabsabi revealed details about his upcoming presentations at the prestigious Venice Biennale Arte 2026. Sabsabi will represent Australia with works featured both in the dedicated Australia Pavilion and as part of the main International Exhibition titled 'In Minor Keys'. This dual presence represents a significant moment for Australian contemporary art on the world's most important international stage, promising to showcase the diversity and sophistication of the country's artistic output to a global audience. MCA Australia partners with Landor for landmark AI exhibition. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia made waves this week by announcing a groundbreaking partnership with Landor for what's being described as a landmark artificial intelligence exhibition. This collaboration represents one of the most significant institutional examinations of AI's impact on contemporary artistic practice in the Australian cultural landscape. The exhibition promises to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping creative processes and challenging traditional notions of authorship and artistic creation in the digital age. Japanese poet-artist wins inaugural $270K Serpentine prize. Gozo Yoshimasu, the celebrated Japanese artist and poet, has been announced as the first-ever recipient of the Serpentine x Flag Art Foundation Prize, worth an impressive $270,000 USD. This newly established award represents the largest contemporary art prize of its kind and recognizes Yoshimasu's innovative work that bridges visual art and literary expression. The substantial prize money underscores the growing recognition of interdisciplinary artistic practices and the international art world's commitment to supporting experimental creative voices. Christie's enlists Nicole Kidman for $100M Brancusi campaign. In one of the most unusual auction marketing strategies seen in recent years, Christie's has recruited Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman to help promote a $100 million Constantin Brancusi bronze sculpture from the S.I. Newhouse collection. The high-profile campaign showcases the auction house's increasingly creative approach to marketing ultra-high-value works, recognizing that exceptional pieces require exceptional promotional strategies. This celebrity endorsement strategy reflects the art market's ongoing evolution toward more mainstream marketing techniques typically associated with luxury consumer goods. New York auction season poised for $2.5 billion in sales. The art market's attention remains fixed on New York as analysts predict this month's auction season could generate upwards of $2.5 billion across major houses including Bonhams, Christie's, Phillips, and Sotheby's. The two-week sales marathon will serve as a crucial test of the market's recent strength and collector confidence in uncertain economic times. These results will provide important insights into which artistic movements, price points, and geographic regions continue to attract the strongest bidding activity from both institutional and private collectors. Venice Biennale artists make strong showing at Frieze New York. This week's Frieze New York fair showcased an impressive selection of works by artists fresh from the Venice Biennale, creating an interesting dialogue between the commercial and institutional art worlds. Many fairgoers and dealers arrived directly from Venice, bringing with them the energy and insights from one of the art world's most important exhibitions. The crossover between these two major art events demonstrates how quickly significant artistic voices can move from prestigious international exhibitions into the commercial gallery and fair circuit. Tehran Museum reopens with powerful conflict-themed exhibitions. The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art has reopened its doors with a series of exhibitions directly addressing themes of war and conflict, with the museum's director describing the institution as still operating in "war mode." Despite ongoing challenges in protecting their extraordinary $3 billion collection, the museum team has developed responsive programming that speaks to contemporary geopolitical realities. This reopening represents both the resilience of cultural institutions during difficult times and art's power to process and respond to ongoing global conflicts. University of Melbourne establishes new Australian Art History Chair. The University of Melbourne announced this week that a major philanthropic gift will establish a dedicated Chair in Australian Art History, marking a significant investment in scholarly research and education focused on the country's artistic heritage. This new position represents a crucial step in strengthening academic support for Australian art historical scholarship and ensuring that local artistic traditions receive appropriate scholarly attention. The establishment of this Chair reflects growing recognition of Australian art's importance both domestically and internationally, providing a foundation for future research and teaching in this vital field. Rothko's auction record remains just out of reach. While Robert Mnuchin's Rothko achieved an impressive $85.8 million at Sotheby's, it fell short of the artist's current auction record of $86.8 million, despite pre-sale estimates suggesting it might reach $100 million. The painting's prestigious provenance, having been formerly owned by the Seagram company, added significant historical weight to the lot. Although it didn't quite achieve record-breaking status, the strong result demonstrates continued market confidence in Rothko's most important works and confirms his position among the most sought-after post-war American artists. This week reminded Arts that the art world's energy comes from its beautiful complexity - where ancient sculptural traditions meet cutting-edge AI technology, and where local Australian voices prepare to speak on international stages. The strong auction results and exciting institutional developments suggest that 2026 continues to be a year of growth and innovation across the global art landscape.