This year, the Fabbrica del Vapore presented an array of “self-produced things” that Mendini believes constitute “the micro-system closest to our lives, infinitely closer than that of industrial products”. According to Alessandro Guerriero, they are an act of rebellion, (“he who rebels self-produces”). A striking installation designed by Duilio Forte was perfect for the industrial setting of the Cattedrale, occupying it in a dynamic way and giving over the right space to each of the selected design worlds, creating a series of island displays. Here, eight examples of experimental themes and products by independent designers were showcased. Among them, Terra cruda, by Mina Bardiani and Claudia Mendini; Duetto, by Anna Gili; AkiZoic Bellum, by Duilio Forte; Recession Design, by Recession Design; Materiaprima, by Alessandro Marelli; Natural Design Exhibition, by Maurizio Corrado; and Nuove Resine, by Carmine Deganello-FabLab Amsterdam.

Since the discussion around design consists of more than just examples, the exhibition featured the Bla Bla Virtual Discussion, a video installation made up of a series of theoretical declarations by international designers, creating an exhibition of “talking heads” as well as a video archive of design confessions.

“Bla Bla” was a joint production by the Comune di Milano, Assessorato Cultura Moda Design and MIMA- Milano Makers.