Lillo Mangano: the discoverer of Finnish design

The exhibition “Finnish Design. The Mangano Collection” runs until July 30 at the Museo Regionale di Messina. Curated by Anty Pansera the exhibition presents 300 objects from the golden age of Finnish design, by leading Finnish designers: Aalto, Wirkkala, Sarpaneva and Franck.

The exhibition “Design Finlandese. La Collezione Mangano” runs until July 30 at the Museo Regionale di Messina. Curated by Anty Pansera the exhibition presents 300 objects (chairs, tables, rugs, lamps, ceramics, glassware as well as fabrics, accessories and tableware) from the golden age of Finnish design (from the 1950s to 1990s), by leading Finnish designers; Alvar Aalto, Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva and Kaj Franck.

The exhibition also offers a chance to discover Letterio ‘Lillo’ Mangano (1921-2002) who was originally from Messina but later lived in Milan. He was the person who introduced the world of Finnish design to Italy, making known the work of architects such as Alvar Aalto, whom he entrusted with the production of his furniture and objects, and over thirty Finnish manufacturers (such as Artek, Iittala, Karhula, Arabia and Hackman).

Simplification of form and respect for function, extensive research into typology and treatment of materials (especially wood), respect for handcrafted processes and tradition are the elements that identify this design and production history that anticipated current trends. E.S.

Until 31.7.2006
Finnish Design. The Mangano Collection
Museo Regionale, Messina
http://www.designfinlandese.it