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CHROMA - A Vibrant Experience of Swiss Design
Part of NYCxDESIGN
Presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York, CHROMA is a multi-sensory installation exploring the power ofcolor, texture, and interaction through contemporary Swiss design.
Curated by Nadja Stäubli, the creative force behind Zurich-based design studio Sula, CHROMA invites visitors into a vibrant, dream like environment where art and design merge seamlessly. Through bold hues, tactile surfaces, and unexpected juxtapositions, the installation encourages a deeper engagement withevery detail.
Interactive Sculptures
At the core of CHROMA are dynamic, biomorphic sculptures conceived by Nadja and produced in collaboration with TWOSEVEN, a Brooklyn-based design/build studio led by Swiss-born Franco Goette and Martina Salisbury. These interactive works invite visitors to engage with the installation physically—some can be stepped into, while others prompt playful exploration of texture and form.
“I dreamed up these sculptures to reflect the fun and fantasythat Swiss design can bring,” says Nadja Stäubli. “I was lucky to curate the design partners for this show—one of them, Jakob Schlaepfer, is aleading Swiss textile company whose materials we integrated into the sculptures. TWOSEVEN developed the look withme and brought it all to life with their outstanding expertise—I couldn’t think of a better partnerin this.”
With their fluid, organic shapes, the sculptures blur the lines between art, design, and tactile experience. They foster a sense of play and discovery, becoming a focal point of interaction within the installation
Olfactory Experience
Extending CHROMA’s immersive quality, dsm-firmenich, in collaboration with Nadja Stäubli, has developed bespoke fragrances that infuse the space with subtle yet evocative scents. Designed to enhance the tactile and visual components, the olfactory layer reinforces the installation’s theme of contrast—specifically, the interplay between warmth and coolness.
This “cold to hot” concept draws from natural cycles—a day, a year, the turning of seasons—as well as broader patterns in relationships, health, and geography. For Nadja, it offered a rich foundation for visual storytelling across all sensory dimensions. The fragrances evoke comfort, creativity, and wonder, amplifying the dreamlike quality of CHROMA. Through the combined expertise of dsm-firmenich and Nadja’s vision, the exhibition becomes a multi-sensory experience where sight, touch, and smell converge in harmony.
Swiss and International Design Collaboration
CHROMA is also a celebration of collaboration, uniting leading Swiss ateliers with international design voices. Featured throughout the space are pieces by renowned names such as atelier oï, Röthlisberger, and USM Modular Furniture—each representing the enduring quality and innovation of Swiss design. Jakob Schlaepfer’s luxurious textiles are integrated into both the sculptures and the surrounding curtains, adding depth, tactility, and visual intrigue. Completing the sensory experience, Sula’s soft, plush rugs invite visitors to slow down, linger, and fully immerse themselves in the rich colors and layered textures of the installation.
Programming and Performances
From May 16–21, CHROMA will be open to the public at WSA 180 in downtown Manhattan during NYCxDESIGN, welcoming visitors daily from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM to experience the installation’s immersive world of color, texture, and design.
Special programming will kick off with a Press Preview on Thursday, May 15 (7:00–8:00 PM), followed by the Opening Party (8:00–11:00 PM), featuring a live DJ set by Sebastiao Loopes, a Swiss DJ known for his genre-blending mix of hip-hop, electronic, and ambient music.
On Friday, May 16, CHROMA will present Design by Collaboration: Crafting Across Disciplines (6:00–8:00 PM). Co-hosted by Swissnex and moderated by Tanja Hwang, Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art, this conversation explores design as a catalyst for novel modes of working and thinking together, as creatives and panelists reflect on interdisciplinarity and how design practice is evolving today. The panel will feature:
- Nadja Stäubli, CEO and Creative Director of Sula
- Beat Röthlisberger, CFO of Röthlisberger
- Aurel Aebi, Co-Founder of atelier oï
- Martina Salisbury, Creative Director of TWOSEVEN
On Saturday, May 17, CHROMA will come alive with two site-specific dance performances by Caroline Dartey, renowned dancer from Geneva and member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Through her movement, Caroline offers a choreographic exploration of the subtle space where emotions blur and where sadness can hold unexpected light. These expressions will unfold at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Between performances, NYC-based DJ Lei, driven by a deep love for world music and a passion for blending sounds from across continents, will guide a mellow listening session, infusing the space with Afro rhythms, Brazilian grooves, and touches of jazz.
A Complete Sensory Experience
From the visual spectacle of Nadja's sculptures to the tactile surfaces and captivating scents, CHROMA is a fully immersive experience. The installation invites visitors to engage not only with their eyes and hands but with their senses of smell and sound, creating a world of creativity, color, and curiosity. Complemented with sensory treats from Soeder and Lindt.
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ABOUT NADJA STÄUBLI & SULA
Founded by creative director Nadja Stäubli, Sula began as a personal art experiment and has grown into an international design studio known for bold, timeless rugs, textiles, furniture, and home objects. Nadja studied photography at Zurich University of the Arts and the School of Visual Arts in New York City, bringing her love of color and analog aesthetics into every facet of the brand. Combining function, quality, and contemporary design with global craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, Sula collaborates with artists, designers, and brands to create enduring pieces rooted in everyday life. Sula has been featured in Vogue, Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Forbes, and many more.
ABOUT THE SWISS CONSULATE IN NYC
The Consulate General of Switzerland in New York is committed to promoting and furthering the interests of Switzerland and its citizens in New York and the Northeastern United States. Moreover, the Consulate aims to raise awareness of Switzerland among the American public, emphasizing and amplifying #SwissImpact. For further details, please follow the Consulate's social media platforms.
Credits:
Curator & Concept Design: Nadja Stäubli, Sula
Sculptural Production Partner: TWOSEVEN
Featured Designers & Brands: atelier oï, Röthlisberger, USM Modular Furniture, Sula
Fabrics: Jakob Schlaepfer
Scent & Fragrance Partners: dsm-firmenich, Soeder
Visual Identity: Johnny Graf with Dimitri Erhard
Scenic Visualization: Sergej Kop
Space: WSA 180
Presented by: Consulate General of Switzerland in New York
Special thanks to our design partners, collaborators, and sponsors:
WSA 180
180 Maiden Lane Atrium
New York, NY 10038
Press Preview & Opening Party
May 15, 2025
Press Preview 7 - 8 PM
Opening Party 8 - 11 PM
Open to the Public
May 16 - May 21, 2025
Hours
Daily from Noon - 7 PM
Press Contacts
Alexadner Galan
ag@vidoun.com
Max Battle
mb@vidoun.com
Programming RSVP
Please RSVP by email to chroma@vidoun.com, and specify the events you're interested in attending.