The history of Italian design is the story of the best cultural and creative energies of our nation. Italian creativity has, in fact, established itself abroad, especially in design and fashion. Unlike fashion, however, design does not live through spectacle or excess. Its protagonists are known more by its aficionados and experts than by the general public. Elegance, sobriety and, often, discretion are its hallmarks.
Over the course of a few decades, Cesare Colombo has been able to portray the important phases of the creative work of designers and the industrial activity in this sector in Italy, depicting its protagonists. In his archive are the gestures and faces of the Italian designers and foreign artists who achieved their full professional success in Italy. Colombo went to the factories to document their activity and to report on the Salone del Mobile (furniture fairs), from the time that they were animated by a pioneering spirit to when they became huge international events in the new Fiera Milano venue. Alessandro Luigi Perna
Until March 27
Nel Paese del design
Memorandum–Festival of Historic Photography
Museo regionale di scienze naturali
Via Giolitti 36 – Torino
In the land of design—
In Turin, the Festival of Historic Photography celebrates 150 years of Italian history. The photographs of Cesare Colombo retrace the steps of Italian design from the 1970s onwards. A photo-essay from Turin
1979 Andrea Branzi during the installation of Le stanze inquietanti (disturbing rooms) project for Alchemy, at the Trienniale
1983 Nanni Strada, designer/fashion-designer in her atelier
1979 Richard Sapper presents an innovative scooter at the Trienniale
1979 Gae Aulenti during her solo show at PAC in Milan
1983 Isao Hosoe designs a new modular television for Zanussi
1983 Marco Zanuso in his office
Left: 1982 Roberto Menghi puts together a piece of furniture with an artisan furniture-maker. Right: Bruno Munari, 1986, in conversation with his son Albert, a psychologist
1988 Philippe Starck presenting Ara, a new lighting produced by Flos
2000 A meeting between Ettore Sottsass (left) and Enzo Mari, for Domus
Left: 2003, Michele De Lucchi tests in his office a copy of Artemide lamp Castor TerraA Right: 2002, Gaetano Pesce presents a resin chair, Zerodisegno
Network
Turin
Ettore Sottsass: furniture 1965—
The waggish designer discusses his "trivial" work in search of expressive new forms and dynamics From the archive
Unplugged workshop—
From 17 to 23 June 2012, Turin will host the first edition of Unplugged, an international design workshop open to students and young architects of all nationalities. An architecture report from Turin
Design, Photo-essays