21/04/2012

Salone 2012 – European Design Schools

Salone 2012 – European Design Schools

Even though Italian design has always been a symbol of excellence and Italian designers have set up the standards for international practices, lately the Italian schools of design haven’t been really making much of an impression. You really get to realize the difficult situation in italian design education when you compare them to their international equivalents.

What has made us think about this, is our today’s visit at two European design schools’ exhibitions. The first one, named Too Cool For School and Hot Tools, was organized by the Swiss ECAL school. Held at the lovely Spazio Orso at Brera district, the exhibition showcased the projects made by all of the school’s departments. Thus you could see projects like a foldable boat, perfect for the short picnics at the lake in Lausanne, beautiful Narciso vases that accentuate the flower’s beauty, or a series of glass objects done during a workshop with Ronan Bouroullec and the artisan Matteo Gonet.

The other design school we have managed to visit around Milan, was the Dutch Design Academy Eindhoven. Presenting a selection of 50 graduate projects in an exhibition curated by Ilse Crawford held at Studio Zeta. The main theme connecting all of the selected project was the relationship between life and desire. The exhibition strongly reflected the social and relational qualities of design, and reflected the young designers’ connection to their environment.

After these two great shows, we couldn’t but think how Italian schools really are ages away from this level of quality. It’s difficult to accept the fact, considering that some of the most important design companies are still Italian, but maybe a slight critique towards our educational system should give a boost towards a major change.

Rujana Rebernjak 

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21/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Museo Poldi Pezzoli

Salone 2012 – Museo Poldi Pezzoli

This morning Milano has finally graced us with a lovely sunny day. Even though we were tempted to run away from all the Design Week rush and go eat an ice-cream somewhere really far away, the sun has given us the energy to visit yet another exhibition.

We went to the Museum Poldi Pezzoli, originally a private art museum founded in the 19th century, where for the second time Inventario, a young Italian editorial project, has organized a show. Curated by the magazine’s editor in chief Beppe Finessi, Fare Lume is an exhibition that explores the candle, both as an object as well as a concept. Hence, the intimate show plays with the idea of candlelight that can make us feel home wherever we are and that still fascinates us in spite of all the technological progress.

Talking about the candle as object, you can find both projects like “Scented Time” by Sovrappensiero whose perfume works as a sensor for blind people or Marcel Wanders’s B.L.O lamp that can be turned on by a simple blow. The fact that there are still designers that try to reproduce the form or the sensorial function of candles makes it almost a philosophical or anthropological question that brings us back thousands of years ago when man discovered fire. Why it still has such a strong impact on us is a question this exhibition doesn’t answer, but it brings our attention to the simplest of all human desires making the Salone seem almost like a joke.

Rujana Rebernjak 

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21/04/2012

Salone 2012 – State University

Salone 2012 – State University

Yesterday was the last day of the busy Design Week, opening the dances for even busiest Salone weekend. Without even setting our foot on the actual fair at Rho, it is almost impossible to take a peak at all of the events that are happening around Milan. So, one has to choose, where the choice is usually based on other people’s recommendations, famous or new prodigious designers you see on the event flyer, or the inevitable Fuorisalone Guide. As the guide is being promoted by one of the most influential Italian architecture and design magazines, we faithfully went on to see their clamorous event at the State University.

The beautiful architecture of the University’s courtyard offered an incredible background where even the most un-intelligent or ugliest of projects would acquire a certain power or authority.

At least that’s what it seemed at first sight. Interni Legacy, the project they were presenting at the State University, puts together a number of design and architecture superstars with different companies which resulted in a series of installations.

So you could find installations such as Monica Arman’s tower done in the collaboration with the Province of Trento, Massimo Iosa Ghini with FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti or a special project as a tribute to Richard Meier done with Italcementi Lab. What actually struck us what that, after the initial fascination with these monumental sculptures, the sense of the exhibition was a senseless commercial promotion.

We are all conscious that design week doesn’t always present design excellence, but what Interni had shown wasn’t nor formally interesting nor conceptually elegant or intelligent. So, fortunately yesterday was quite a lovely day and our walk around the historical courtyard was pleasant. Actually, the courtyard’s 18th century beauty is all we remember, and that should say a lot.

Rujana Rebernjak 

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20/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Triennale

Salone 2012 – Triennale

Today’s destination of our Salone report has brought us to the historical fulcrum of Italian design – The Triennale. Once center of innovation between industry and applied arts, hosting the ‘grand expositions’ of Italian excellence, it still perfectly embodies that spirit. 

We have to admit that we entered the Triennale a bit prejudiced about what we would have liked, knowing that our beloved Enzo Mari was presenting a new collection of vases. Lezioni di Enzo Mari is a series of vases and containers designed for Corsi Design Factory. What is different between this project is the fact that the exhibition, as well as the work itself, wasn’t so much about presenting a novelty, but about a process of teaching and learning between the artisan and the designer. Another thing that struck us was the fact that what apparently seemed like glass containers, were actually made of a resin, making them easier to produce but maintaining the glassy finishing. 

Even though seeing Lezioni di Enzo Mari could have been enough for us, we continued the Triennale stream. Among a long list of small exhibitions, major part of which weren’t at all impressive, we liked Objet Préféré, Objet Colore produced in collaboration between Grand Hornu and Fabrica. Two shows in one, they complemented each other both from the point of view of function as well as form, one being almost useless and black and white, he other colorful and utterly practical. 

Besides the Triennale Design Museum which traces the history of Italian graphic design, we could vaguely appreciate Perspectives – Belgian design survey.

Ending our tour with Marco Macc Meets Design could have completely destroyed our initial enthusiasm, hadn’t there been Patricia Urquiola’s collaboration with Budri that produced a series of beautiful vases made of marble. Using the production waste material that otherwise would have been thrown away, Urquiola has definitely managed to interpret he true spirit of design.

Rujana Rebernjak

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20/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Brera Design District

Salone 2012 – Brera Design District

As Friday has already arrived, faster than we thought it would, there are still quite a few things we feel shouldn’t be missed. In order to manage to get at least a peak at all of them we have planned a tight schedule. So, while we have put on our most comfortable shoes and continued our marathon around the streets of Milan, this time heading to the busy Brera Design District.

We started from the Appartamento Lago, a well known design venue, that last year received more than 20000 visitors. Instead of creating a highly artificial environment such as a fair stand, Lago has decided to communicate with people on a more intimate level, creating a cosy environment that at the same time points out different living environments.

The second place that we had to visit on our Grand Tour around Brera was the exhibition Vivere alla Ponti held at Ordine degli Architetti della Provincia di Milano, celebrating the experiments in domestic living and architecture of living and working by Gio Ponti. Curated by Francesca Molteni and Franco Raggi, the show is paying tribute to the great modernist master whose timeless designs have been re-made by Molteni&C (currently being presented at their flagship store).

Among other interesting showrooms and new design companies, you should also stop by Austrian design – raw and delicate exhibition. There you can see the work of Augarten, Lobmeyr, Wittman, Polka and mischer’traxler, that tries to discuss the relation between the austrian nature and their culture and design.

As our marathon goes on on a tight schedule, we’re heading for our next design destination hoping that the annoying rain will finally stop bothering us.

Rujana Rebernjak

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19/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Tortona Second Round

Salone 2012 – Tortona Second Round

Zona Tortona has caught our attention, again. After the yesterday’s quite satisfying Superstudio visit, we have decided to take a lazy stroll on the via Tortona and other neighbouring streets to see what else one of the busiest design districts in Milan can offer. Even though the cloudy day could have made us change our mood, the disappointment of the day was actually the Tortona district itself. After a few blind shots, where we couldn’t but ask ourselves what is actually the point of the design week, we thought we had found our goldmine.

The huge banner announcing ‘The Leading Figures of French Design’ had caught our eye and we entered the French Design exhibition. A 1200 square meter exhibition space was a miniature fair featuring what should have been the French design excellence. Well, besides a few singular projects, to be really honest, the exhibition was kind of a disappointment. You could blame us of being too tired or too meteoropathic, but this was the pure first impression it made on us. There were few interesting, funny or quirky projects like Normal Studios‘ bar set up using Tolix‘s chairs or some of Y’a pas le feu au lac‘s vases, but unfortunately it’s not what we think great design should really be.

Rujana Rebernjak 

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19/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Tom Dixon & MOST

Salone 2012 – Tom Dixon & MOST

Tom Dixon is one of those design entrepreneurs that manages to turn into gold everything he touches (in some cases literally). Most, the bombastic event promoted by Dixon held at National Museum of Science and Technology, is one of the highlights of this year’s Salone. Most is a collective exhibition whose goal was to transform the museum’s scientific environment in what resembles a design research center. The juxtaposition of historical transportation exhibition with contemporary design, stood almost as a reminder for today’s designers of what actually good design should be like, offering a perfect situation for sharp confrontation and critique.

As far as single exhibitors are concerned, they were distributed between five of the museum’s buildings. The first part of the exhibition was obviously Tom Dixon’s show called Luminosity where he presented new lighting and furniture projects. With an eye on new production methods as well as materials, the project that struck us most was the Lustre lamps collection that uses glazed ceramics in order to create an effect reminiscent of hidden colours in nature. Also Dixon’s Eclectic collection of everyday objects was eye candy, showing how big design companies haven’t forgotten the simple daily pleasures we all can find ourselves in.

Among other exhibitions, Studio Toogood‘s La Cura project has to be mentioned. Designed as a shelter place from the chaos of the Salone, it offers a series of performances that serve as a retreat for our senses. There you can find the sound installation by Kite&Laslett, a re-energizing elixir created by Arabeschi di Latte while the air is filled with a scent by the scent designer 12.29.

One of the most interesting stands is the one by a new french design company called La Chance. Presenting its first ambitious collection called Jekyll and Hyde where each piece comes in two versions, the company has inaugurated a hopefully long collaboration with designers like Pierre Favresse, Luca Nichetto, Susane de Graef and Note Design Studio.

The astonishingly enormous museum space actually offered a lot more than we could possibly summarize in these few lines. If you’re into work like the one produced by Areaware or want to discover companies like Resident from New Zealand, take at least a few hours to wander around these beautifully designed spaces and check what Most has to offer.

Rujana Rebernjak

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19/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Superstudio

Salone 2012 – Superstudio

After the first two days of this year’s Salone we are slowly but steadily approaching its more consolidated venues. The fulcrum of Fuorisalone is obviously Zona Tortona, with the massive presence of Superstudio. With yesterday’s pouring rain here in Milan we couldn’t but take shelter there and soak in the best from the Temporary Museum for New Design. Arrived at its fourth edition this year, Temporary Museum for New Design has presented more than 50 exhibitions with the participation of 40 international brands and more than 200 designers.

Among this myriad of projects, we would lie saying that all of them were interesting, some have really caught our eye. As we have a soft spot for Scandinavian design, we were obviously intrigued by the collective exhibition organized by Inredia. Their bold statement about Scandianavian design being much more than Ikea and H&M, has certainly been heard as companies such as SA Möbler or designers like Formforyou and institutions for research like Steneby, have really a lot to say.

Another inevitable installation was Past, Present, Future by the german furniture company Kusch, made out of chairs floating in a bouquet-like composition, connecting the realities of contemporary design and artistic sensorially.
The third stop was New Duivendrecht, the newest of contemporary Dutch furniture manufacturers. Presenting the projects of nine young designers, the company has successfully promoted their ideals of high quality, sustainability and both formal and technological innovation.

Without any further waffling, the other musts are definitely the works of NgispeN, Cube on Cube, Nendo and Fritsch-Durisotti, to name but a few. Even though the weather in Milan is giving us a break and you may not be looking for a shelter, Superstudio is definitely an inevitable stop.

Rujana Rebernjak

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18/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Ventura Lambrate

Salone 2012 – Ventura Lambrate

In the last few years the more independent young designers as well as universities of design have been moving away from the center of Milan to Lambrate. This year the Lambrate fever has reached its higher peak as far as number of participants is concerned. Distributed between Via Ventura, Via Massimiano and Via Oslavia, this year’s exhibitors have included both the usual young as well as superstars like Jaime Hayon and established companies such as COS and Ikea.

As far as design schools are concerned, The Royal College of Art has made an almost impeccable exhibition. In a long series of experimental projects entitled Paradise, the strongest impression was made by ‘Fan Table’ by Mauricio Affonso, ‘Red & Blue Stacking Vessels’ by Pia Wustenberg.

The University of Bolzano was also there, with less projects but a nicely designed exhibition space curated by the school’s professors.

The most interesting young and independent designers would make an endless list, so we’ll only point out a few: “Edition of 9″ curated by Something Good that explored the relation between local crafts and contemporary design, “Think +” by Studio 248 which concentrated on the exploration of gestures and usability in design, Nino & Svenja that concentrated their research on the use of simple materials with innovative production and assembling methods.

Rujana Rebernjak

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18/04/2012

Salone 2012 – Spazio Rossana Orlandi

Salone 2012 – Spazio Rossana Orlandi

The Salone fever has begun this year, punctual as ever. Hundreds of events have overflown the city, be it small independent designers that try to make their way into the design elite or already well-known companies always ahead of their time. On the first day of the Salone we had the thoughts on all the choices. Looking through the Salone’s agenda and picking the right start of our week-long design tour wasn’t an easy task.
So in order to kick this week a good start, we’ve decided to begin from one of the unmissable events – the fascinating collective exhibition at Spazio Rossana Orlandi.

Besides the charming garden where we spotted one of the Bouroullec brothers sipping wine (you can imagine how excited we felt seeing one of our heroes), the space has presented more than forty new projects from both acclaimed designers as well as new talents. Although Spazio Rossana Orlandi, as usual, offered a huge amount of experimental projects that both raised questions about form and material as well as production and distribution methods, we still had to pick a few favorites.


The first one is Luca Nichetto with his Swell series. Designed for the french design editor Petite Friture, the Swell series consists of a pencil case and a key holder made in colored concrete. The other objects produced by Petite Friture are Cairn boxes and Vertigo pendant lamp by Constance Guisset, Ikebana vases by Edward Robinson and Hollo stool and tables by Amandine Chhor and Aissa Logerot, to name but a few.

Another collection that has made an impression is the ceramics collection by Taruhiro Yanagihara for 1616 / Arita Japan. Together with Dutch designers Scholten & Baijings, Yanagihara as the creative director of the company coming from the birthplace of ceramic art in Japan, has decided to design a collection that reflects the European perspective on the Japanese tradition.

The last but not least, Ercol Furniture presenting beautifully crafted oak, ash, elm and beech chairs, that combine modern machinery with hand craftsmanship and intelligent design.

Without pretending to be exhausted from the first Salone visit, we have actually managed to give the week a real kick-start!

Our official Salone reporter: Rujana Rebernjak

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