A pick of the events at the 55th Milan Salone

Date
12 April 2016

The 55th Salone del Mobile kicks off in Milan today with the theme The World of Quality. As ever the Rho Fiera will be packed with new designs and collections by 2,310 exhibitors filling over 20,0000m2 of exhibition space. It’s Nice That has chosen a few installations and events to keep an eye out for around the city.

Rooms: Novel Living Concepts
So much of the Saloni relates to interiors, but this exhibition at the Triennale investigates the concept further. This exhibition examines work by a host of significant architects who started out working in interiors. A series of rooms designed by Umberto Riva, Alessandro Mendini, Carlo Ratti and other have been constructed to illustrate the living concepts and philosophies.

Cos x Sou Fujimoto
Occupying the Cinema Arti in the San Babila district Cos has partnered with Japanese Architect Sou Fujimoto to create a “multisensory experience” called Forest of Light. The immersive installation, like much of the architect’s work, has been inspired by nature, in this case the “experience of a forest at twilight.” Considering the serene and thoughtfully built portfolio of the architect, it might prove a welcome respite from the city over the next few days.

Hella Jongerius and Louise Schouwenberg
At the heart of the city, adjacent to the Duomo, is La Rinascente – Milan’s famous department store. This year designer Hella Jongerius and theorist Lousie Schouwenberg have been commissioned to create a special installation for the eight storefront windows. A Search Behind Appearances will animate iconic design objects, assembling and disassembling them using automation and shadow play. “Any deserving design is a meaningful node in a branching web of relationships. What is the larger context and narrative in which a design gains validity? Which ideals and references can be detected behind appearances? The concept of cultural innovation requires new criteria,” say the designers.

Lexus Design Awards
Now in its fourth year, the Lexus Design Awards has done a pretty good job of uncovering talent in recent years. This year follows the theme “anticipation” and four finalists have been partnered with a mentor to create a prototype for a special exhibition. Coupling a remit to champion design that will help shape a better future with a stellar judging panel that includes Paola Antonelli, Toyo Ito and Aric Chen, the awards are a good place to spot the future stars of the Saloni.

Verve Clicquot and Fabrica – Beyond
Chanpagne brand Veuve Clicquot has collaborated with Fabrica to create a special installation at the Royal Pavilion at the central train station. Open for one day only on 14 April, “visitors will be drawn into an exploration of real and imaginary landscapes, in an exclusive setting that epitomises the concept of the journey.” Three different environments will be created and host performances and soundscapes to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mme Clicquot’s first design invention – the table de remuage.

Above

Fabrica and Veuve Clicquot: Beyond

Above

Cos x Sou Fujimoto: Concept Sketch

Above

Hella Jongerius and Louise Schouwenberg: A Search Behind Appearances. The layers of meaning in design, or their absence, 2016; design process; © Magdalena Lepka

Share Article

About the Author

Owen Pritchard

Owen joined It’s Nice That as Editor in November of 2015 leading and overseeing all editorial content across online, print and the events programme, before leaving in early 2018.

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.