Design is a state of mind

The Pinacoteca Agnelli continues its exploration of collecting with “Martino Gamper: design is a state of mind”, produced in collaboration with Serpentine Galleries and Museion.

Design is a state of mind
Curated by the Italian designer Martino Gamper (Merano, 1971), the show presents a landscape of shelving systems, telling the story of design objects and their impact on our lives.
The pieces of furniture date from the 1930s to the present day and range from historic design classics and oneoff pieces, to industrial, utilitarian, contemporary and newly commissioned work. Renowned designers such as Franco Albini, Ercol, Charlotte Perriand, Gaetano Pesce, Giò Ponti and Ettore Sottsass are placed in close proximity to IKEA and Dexion industrial shelves.
Design is a state of mind
"Martino Gamper: Design is a state of mind", view of the exhibition at the Pinacoteca Agnelli. Photo © Andrea Guermani

The function of each piece is underlined by the collections of objects arranged on them, which have been chosen by Gamper from the personal archives of his friends and colleagues. From the beauty of the mundane to the wonder of the relic, these collections give an insight into the inspirations and obsessions of designers.

The exhibition is an eclectic representation of the way in which we arrange, store and organise our possessions.

Designers whose collections are featured include: Enzo Mari, Paul Neale, Max Lamb & Gemma Holt, Jane Dillon, Michael Marriott, Sebastian Bergne, Fabien Cappello, Adam Hills, Michael Anastassiades, Andrew Mc Donagh & Andreas Schmid, Daniel Eatock and Martino Gamper himself.

Design is a state of mind
"Martino Gamper: Design is a state of mind", view of the exhibition at the Pinacoteca Agnelli. Photo © Andrea Guermani

The show also presents an installation by Gamper that is homage to iconic Italian designer Enzo Mari and includes an installation of drawings, notes and designs held down by unusual paperweights collected by him over many years.

Gamper has devised two displays. One is an homage to iconic Italian designer Enzo Mari and includes an installation of drawings, notes and designs held down by unusual paperweights collected by him over many years. The other acts as a social space, encouraging visitors to sit at Gamper’s table and on his chairs; to explore an extensive library of contemporary furniture manufacturing catalogues from around the world, and to watch Tati’s Mon Oncle and Alain Resnais’ Le Chant du Styrene (both 1958). These films, along with the earlier pieces of furniture, reveal the contrast between the future of design predicted in the late 1950s and the way it has evolved since.

The exhibition in the Pinacoteca Agnelli will also feature a number of bookcases and pieces of furniture from private collections in Turin.


from October 22, 2014 until February 22, 2015
Martino Gamper
Design is a state of mind

curated by Martino Gamper
Pinacoteca Gianni e Marella Agnelli
in collaboration with Serpentine Galleries and Museion
sponsored by BNP Paribas, Borbonese and Reale Mutua
with the contribution of FondazioneCRT

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