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April 17, 2015
2010 Milan Salone Latest Report | Alessandro Anini on the State of Italian Design Today: Part 2
Feature: Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2010
Italian Design Today: A Report from Salone del Mobile 2010, Part 2
In this second part, we continue our report from the Salone del Mobile, introducing four brands: Bottega Veneta's home collection, the designer furniture of Cappellini, Driade, a leader in contemporary Italian design, and Flos, a top domestic lighting manufacturer. We delve into the essence of Italian design.
Text & Photo by Alessandro Agnini
Bottega Veneta's theme this year was Japanese culture and craftsmanship. They held a design competition for students and collaborated with Japanese artisans. Remarkably, the winning entry from a University of Tokyo student was brought to life through Bottega's exceptional craftsmanship and was slated for sale in their shops after the Salone. Alongside the new home collection, they also exhibited permanent collection pieces and Japanese crafts, with a pop-up shop on-site. Items exclusively for the Japanese market were available, as were all bags and leather goods, sold only at the Salone!
This year, Cappellini featured their long-time collaborators Marcel Wanders and Jasper Morrison, alongside nurturing emerging talents. Among the highlights were Todd Bracher's stool 'Alodia,' the origami-like 'Tailored Wood' with its raw edge, and 'The Secret Clubhouse,' an armchair by Swedish student Martin Wallin. Crafted from discarded wood from his former school in Copenhagen, its treehouse-like exterior evokes childhood dreams, offering a sense of security, like being cradled within a shell.
Feature: Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2010
Italian Design Today: A Report from Salone del Mobile 2010, Part 2 (2)
This season, Driade presented Fabio Novembre's latest creation, 'Nemo.' This unique chair, shaped like a giant human face, recalls Novembre's earlier works featuring the human body, such as 'Him' and 'Her,' and the sofa 'Divina' sculpted in a female form. 'Nemo,' in the guise of a mask, envelops the sitter, concealing them completely. It promises to adorn interiors both as a chair and as a work of art. Another notable piece is Mickey Astori's 'Zelight,' a versatile lamp suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, which can be placed on a table, hung from the ceiling, or set on the floor.
Flos unveiled a collection utilizing special materials and innovative technology. Titled 'Soft Architecture,' they showcased cutting-edge, non-flammable synthetic materials developed as eco-friendly energy solutions. The lineup of designers included luminaries such as Ron Gilad, Philippe Starck, Sebastian Long, Marcel Wanders, Antonio Citterio, and Paolo Brambilla. Each lighting piece was designed to seamlessly integrate with walls and ceilings, embodying the concept that lighting is not merely an electrical appliance but an integral part of the living environment.
Feature: Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2010
Italian Design Today: A Report from Salone del Mobile 2010, Part 2 (3)
After the Salone
My thoughts on the 2010 Salone? As I mentioned in the first part, it was simply 'Salone is wonderful!' The energy of the Salone remained unchanged this year, despite a decrease in the number of exhibitors compared to previous years. Thousands of people visited, enjoying the exhibits and installations, as well as the aperitivo (a service with pre-dinner drinks and buffet-style snacks) and leisurely strolls.
Scenes from Milan
Scenes from Milan
Of course, it wasn't all positive. City traffic was completely paralyzed, and I was stuck in a traffic jam for an hour after the Bottega Veneta party. For locals who have no interest in furniture or design, it must be a nuisance to have thousands of people descend upon their city and disrupt their daily lives. My favorite bar became so crowded with Salone visitors that I couldn't get in without a reservation, and the friendly bartender I usually chat with was too busy with other customers to pay me any mind. What normally takes ten minutes to get to took an hour.
But if you overlook those aspects, the vibrant atmosphere throughout the city during the event is not a bad thing at all. In fact, I love this week when my beloved city of Milan comes alive with excitement. Every city in the world must have moments when its people go a little crazy. In Milan, that moment is the Salone.
Alessandro Agnini
Born in Naples in 1979 and raised in Milan, Alessandro Agnini majored in Advertising and Communication at university. After graduating, he joined the Tod's Group, where he was responsible for the production of advertising and graphics. He became a freelancer in 2005 and moved his base to Japan in 2006. He currently works as a freelance art director and photographer.