In a dimly lit, tiled corner of the abandoned Baggio Military Hospital in Milan, three soft creatures emerge under the spotlight. These pale, amphibian-like forms are part of MEUW (Socius novus), crafted by Jaemo Lee and Lisa Schober. Displayed during Milan Design Week 2026, the creatures are showcased at Alcova’s eclectic exhibition under the group show, “No One Sees Them Like We Do. Notes on Animal Interiors,” curated by HEAD – Genève’s Master in Interior Architecture (MAIA) program. Here, they question the boundaries of human-animal companionship.
Reimagining human-animal bonds in Milan
This thought-provoking exhibition was coordinated by architect Youri Kravtchenko, along with assistants David Valadomiu Ceballos and Marie Schild. MEUW is one of six projects that explores how spatial narratives can reshape interspecies relationships, centering on pigeons, dogs, rats, and frogs in an effort to transcend anthropocentrism.
Lee and Schober describe their creatures not as pets or robots, but as objects simulating companionship. Their texture and heft encourage a sense of closeness, prompting viewers to reconsider the dynamics of intimacy without control. The artists write, “The project questions whether intimacy can be simulated without domination, and whether replacing the animal reveals both a desire for connection and an inability to sustain coexistence.”
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The roots and inspirations of MEUW
Lee and Schober’s venture began as a critique of the reptile pet industry, specifically the breeding and aesthetic manipulation of leopard geckos. These practices often reduce these animals to mere decorative objects. Recognizing this, they interrogated why humans desire pet ownership based on aesthetics or status rather than genuine connection.
Carlo Mollino’s “Walking Dragon” (1964) and David Cronenberg’s film “eXistenZ,” with its peculiar game pod, inspired them to develop MEUW as speculative companions. These references allowed them to create a non-living entity that examines the human tendency to project and connect emotionally with other life forms.
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Audience engagement with MEUW
When MEUW was displayed, visitors displayed a mix of hesitance and fascination. The invitation to touch and interact with the creatures was crucial. Once engaged, viewers instinctively held and cared for them, believing the creatures had come to life through the transfer of their own motions. Weighing nearly 12 kg at their heaviest, these silicone bodies offer a real sense of a living creature, enhancing the interaction.
The making of MEUW
Constructed from colored silicone, MEUW retains movement and flexibility through its material alone, without an internal framework. Lee and Schober conceptualized the designs using a blend of sketching, 3D modeling, and AI, tailored to mimic evolving reptilian forms. They crafted custom 3D-printed molds for each body type, casting them by hand in quick-setting silicone mixed with pigments. This process demanded precision, with only ten minutes to set each mold, making it a high-pressure and experimental venture.
Source: designboom.com