The esteemed orator and philosopher Seneca once stated, “Travel and change of place impart vigor on the mind,” a statement that truly communicates the fundamental nature of exploration—maybe the Roman Empire is worth contemplating after all.
Two thousand years after Seneca’s original observation, these words still carry weight, signifying that travel remains essential to artistic inspiration.
Harry Nuriev has made the intentional life choice to exist mainly in this transitive space. A name inextricable from the Millennial interior design aesthetic, Nuriev, the doyen of global minimalism, doesn’t shy away from breaking convention when constructing the dreamscapes that have become his trademark.
As head of the experimental design Maison Crosby Studios, the 39-year-old multi-hyphenate proudly champions a creative language inspired by the nomadic lifestyle he’s inhabited since the inception of the company back in 2014. Focused on uncovering the link between fashion, art, and design, Nuriev and his practices are fueled by a boundless outlook on the world––something of a necessity for someone who boards upwards of 100 flights in a calendar year.
"When you board several flights a year across the world you have to start thinking about creating on a different level.” Nuriev shares “You see the larger picture more clearly, and it can inspire you to combine materials in a different way."
From redefining outdoor living in the Dolomites to installing jouches in LA, the Russian-born creative keeps close company with the unexpected, injecting whimsy into unconventional spaces. So when premier airline Delta presented Nuriev with the opportunity to create an unforgettable installation for its SkyMiles for Business dinner at this year's Miami Art Week festival, he needed little time to prep and pack before boarding a flight to South Beach.
Poised to propel small businesses to new heights, Delta’s SkyMiles for Business program arms burgeoning entrepreneurial forces with resources and rewards to aid their climb to the top. Delta’s latest mission profoundly resonates with Nuriev, who hopes to serve as a flagbearer for a new era of budding brands, many of which were represented by the owners and founders invited to the exclusive soirée.
While traversing the linoleum-lined corridors of New York’s historic JFK International Airport, Nuriev couldn’t help but reflect on his countless treks through terminals across the globe. “There’s a universal language that airports communicate, and it's one that we all speak,” Nuriev thoughtfully observes while patiently waiting outside his designated gate.
Although the act of globetrotting may resonate differently with everyone, specific experiences are bound to awaken the spirit of wanderlust in most. Nuriev plotted out a bespoke dinnerscape motivated by one of these universal moments: the view of glistening lights from a plane as it flies over a city at night.
Nuriev’s vision came to life in the form of an opulent circular dining table to subtly reference the globe. Individual fluorescent blue lights were placed atop sleek silver dining trays, harmoniously combining elements of flight and feast for an immersive dining experience. The blossoming luminary knew he was operating in rarified air.
Guests filed into the courtyard in awe of the visual masterpiece before them, savoring every detail and trying to capture the perfect shot before locating their designated seats. “My artistic practice extends far beyond the construction of ‘work’ in a traditional sense,” he notes. “This journey with Delta has been about pushing the boundaries within design. I always look forward to growing through these kinds of special collaborations.”
The evening that followed was a testament to the unifying power of design. Nuriev’s creation extended beyond the materialization of an entrancing tangible space, doubling as a shared experience for the next generation of small business innovators.
After artistically linking Delta’s signature and elevated customer experience with the inviting sense of community offered through a collective dining fête, Nuriev’s next goal is clear: continue to create, no matter where he finds himself next.
