Review of Fuorisalone, Milan Design Week 2019, Italy

Fuorisalone and Milan design week takes place at venues across Milan from April 8 to 14 2019. Milan’s Fuorisalone is a fluid entity in continuous expansion, flourishing each year in April with the leading trends in design and mapping out the most interesting areas of the city. Over half a million of professionals and design lovers are to join Fuorisalone 2019. The flamboyant festival features over 1.700 events taking over the city. There are the well-established design districts, renewed each year with double-digit anniversary celebrations.

Fuorisalone was first created in the 80’s as the Salone del Mobile with events and evening soirees, thanks to the of companies working in the furnishing and industrial design sectors. Currently, it is expanding into many related sectors including automotive, technology, telecommunications, art, fashion and food. Every year, in April, Salone and Fuorisalone define the Milan Design Week, the most important event in the world for design. The entire episode of the weeklong celebration is referred to as Milan Design Week, an event engaging the entire city, from Rho to Piazza Duomo.

Fuorisalone is the official guide to the event. Istitutionally recognised and supported, it has also been the reference point for the Interareas project, ordered by Milan City Council in the sphere of the ‘Milano Creativa’ programme which aims to share the requests of the different staff involved in the Design Week, since 2014. Fuorisalone is a communication platform which offers a system of support to companies, agencies, private people or associations for the conception, creation and promotion of events during the Design Week.

Fuorisalone is a tool that talks about the events of the Milan Design Week, experiencing them at first hand, bringing facts and key players to the fore against the background of a city that lives changing situations rotating around the design and creativity worlds for a week. During the Design Week, Fuorisalone evokes the atmosphere of a week in which Milan changes guise, the design capital is presented to its community through the form of the event par excellence. The aim of Fuorisalone is the promotion of design as an event, performance and installation in the urban fabric.

Fuorisalone 2019 has been an incredible success throughout Milan Design Week. It has provided the most exciting brands and artists, and their presentation of the latest trends and luxurious products. For one week, Milan was transformed into an open gallery, with historical palazzos and museums, public places and little hidden gems welcoming design aficionados from the world over. It has established a necessary bridge between artists and attendees, creating a vibe of memorable networking.

The Archiproducts Design Experience has become a fundamental rendezvous for anyone in Milan during Design Week, the countless exclusive events dedicated to design in all its forms filled with the city. Fuorisalone has given the opportunity to attend incredible events and exhibitions, where you can absorb incredible art installations all over the city of Milan. The plethora of installations, immersive experiences and exhibition itineraries breaching the borders where design and its collateral worlds meet, blend and overlap.

In the 2019 edition of Milan Design Week, Fuorisalone proposes as a focus for the development of content the subject “Forms of Living” expressed in its various dimensions and interpretations (where “living” means: places, space, city, environment and relationships). The concept of Contemporary Living in its various forms is at the centre of the scenario we are going through, with its rules and habits now upset, and is explored through design, art, architecture and anthropology to offer various useful ideas for companies and designers.

The aim of Fuorisalone is to share and promote this theme throughout 2019, developing both projects in collaboration with various partners, and a dedicated editorial plan that can find applications in the various tools offered by the Fuorisalone Design Guide platform. The various exhibitors can organise independently or refer to Studiolabo, which gives assistance: from the search for the location to the definition of strategies and to special communication plans that can be chosen on Fuorisalone.

Design Districts
The events of Fuorisalone are spread all over Milan, but are concentrated in some main areas.

Brera Design District
Discover the new Brera Experience. The best way to discover and get to know the district’s places and secrets. Brera Design District also features a selection of the best commercial activities, i.e. those that best represent the identity of this historic district of Milan between design, lifestyle, food, art and culture. The Brera Design District offers, as always, a large number of events that animate the neighborhood and which alternate with the many design showrooms hosted here.

Start from the “ancient heart of Brera”, represented by the pedestrian area of via Fiori Chiari, via Formentini and via Madonnina. Lose yourself among antiques, modern antique shops, exclusive shops and historic bars. Here, in via Fiori Chiari 18, Dedar presents the new textile wall coverings. In via Formentini 9 (in front of the deconsecrated church of S. Carpoforo) the Paola Sorio Luxury Design Atelier brand makes its debut, specialized in the creation of furniture and accessories between art and design characterized by a very high quality craftsmanship.

Brera Design District attracts the largest number of events and is the most visited and most representative district of the Fuorisalone. Born with the 2010 edition, the Brera Design Week has been able to increase over the years the number and quality of the events it hosts, going from 42 in the first edition to 210 in the last one, working with 497 exhibitors for an estimated 400,000 visitors during the 7-day event. Today, for many, Fuorisalone means Brera and Brera Design Week is the reference platform, open to collaboration with companies and designers thanks to dedicated project formats.

After ten years of activity, Brera Design District presents the 10th edition of its Design Week, choosing an inspirational theme, born during Brera Design Days 2018: sustainability and a green and choice-conscious design. “Design Your Life”, that draws inspiration from Bill Burnett and Dave Evans’ book, is the title of Brera Design Week 2019, a collective call to pay more attention to project’s impact.

Thinking about the theme, “Design Your Life” is conceptually linked to our 10th anniversary, identifying ten vertical sub-themes, ten ways in which the main theme can be interpreted by professionals, designers and researchers who tangibly contribute to building a sustainable world with their work. Thanks to the experience gained with Brera Design Days, we focused on a varied range of professionals among them who provide a perspective and a design approach capable of representing different aspects of sustainability.

The 10 Ambassadors of Brera Design Week 2019 are: Marco Mari and Carlotta Borruto from Italia Innovation (DESIGN YOUR COMMUNITY); Mauro Martino from IBM Research AI, Northeastern University (DESIGN YOUR CREATIVITY); Oliver Marlow from StudioTilt (DESIGN YOUR EMOTION); Mario Cucinella from MCA and SOS School of Sustainability (DESIGN YOUR FUTURE); Daniel and Markus Freitag from Freitag (DESIGN YOUR IDEAS); Thayse Viégas from Casa Canvas (DESIGN YOUR IMAGINATIONS); Aldo Cibic (DESIGN YOUR MEMORIES); Stefano Maffei from Politecnico di Milano (DESIGN YOUR TRANSFORMATION); Ben Sheppard from Mc Kinsey Design Index (DESIGN YOUR VALUE).

Brera Design Apartment, which during 2019 host different exclusive formats dedicated to design world, was the setting for the interior design project Planetario designed and realised by Cristina Celestino for Besana Carpet Lab. A retro-futuristic concept where the leading character is a new collection of fitted carpets created by the designer and made by Besana Carpet Lab – innovation-oriented manufacturing company working in the carpets and fitted carpets sector. The lighting project is signed by Esperia, historic brand of the Italian excellence working between design and hand-made production: two new pieces, designed for the occasion by Cristina Celestino, stand out among the sculpture-like “art lamps” of the brand.

Planetario features a dream-like, unexpected domestic scenario inspired by the space and its antithesis, the underwater world. The symbol of “fitted carpet” comes to life and interacts with the bright sculptures of Esperia in a contemporary reinterpretation showing its versatile, evocative and poetic yet functional soul. Brera Design Apartment talks with the project and becomes a separate, timeless space – proving to be the perfect place for creative experimentation in the design and interior decoration world. The key elements of Planetario, among which the new line of fitted carpets created for the occasion, become part of the apartment and keep adorning its interiors even after Fuorisalone.

Ventura Centrale
The historical vault-shaped warehouses situated in via Ferrante Aporti, under the railway tracks of Milan Central Station once again be populated by evocative installations, signed by international design companies and renown designers. The 16 tunnels involved present immersive, poetic and ironic design experiences. Each project was characterised by high aesthic and qualitative content to tell visitors about the potentialities and application of contemporary design.

Isola Design District
Isola Design District became one of the main official areas of Milan Design Week, for giving visibility to local artisans, studios and galleries, but also to create opportunities for international emerging designers and independent studios, during the most important design event of the World. Among the collective exhibitions, Milan Design Market be, once again, a hub for 45 emerging international designers, with a selection of projects never so rich before and an area dedicated to experimental materials.

This year, the Isola Design District has expanded to include Via Farini, Viale Stelvio, and the Palazzo della Regione in Via Melchiorre Gioia, all while maintaining its core in Stecca 3.0. Situated in Via de Castillia 26, it’s here that organizers set up the district’s Design Village.

The whole Isola neighbourhood, for a week, was transformed into a platform of design without limits, welcoming over 200 designers, design studios and companies from all over the world, hosted by dozens of locations within the district. Even geographically, it exceed its borders, thanks to the renewed collaboration with Regione Lombardia – at Palazzo Lombardia there was 4 installations and 2 exhibitions – and, for the first time, with Fabbrica Del Vapore.

Stecca 3.0, in front of the park Biblioteca degli Alberi, become a #DesignVillage, with 3M as main partner, outdoor installations, internal exhibitions, the first 3D printed design bar, the Unlimited Design Talks 2019, as well as night events with Milan’s most beloved crews.

Alcova Sassetti, organized in collaboration with Alice Stori Lichtenstein and the Fondazione Kenta, explore the spaces of a perfectly preserved ex-cashmere factory from the 1930’s in the Isola neighborhood. Alcova is located in the former G. Cova & Co. panettone factory just north of Loreto, in a former industrial space now overrun by plants and vegetation, frozen in a poetic state of semi-abandonment.

Started from 2019, Isola Design District is also part of the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, becoming the first Italian design district to participate in a foreign design event. A new way to experience design, accessible 365 days a year and from anywhere, that complement the events in Italy and in the Netherlands.

5VIE in Historic center of Milan
5VIE was born as a territorial marketing project linked to an area of ​​the historic center of Milan, the Cinque Vie : an area rich in history and culture, where among the remains of imperial Rome, early Christian basilicas and Renaissance courtyards you can still find artisan workshops of the highest level, as well as refined boutiques and art and design galleries. Thanks to the uniqueness of the curatorial program and the continually expanding success of previous editions, 5VIE art+design is now recognized internationally as an important new hub of cutting-edge design.

With a special focus on one-of-a-kind pieces, art design, and the cross- contamination among the various arts, the 2019 edition aims to build on this growing success and embrace experimentation more openly than ever and to cultivate an even more international presence. This year’s goal: consolidate our reputation as a cultural reference point,bringing together plurality of thought and international heterogeneity.

Working as always in close contact with curators and designers and concentrating on clusters of creativity, 5VIE is increasingly establishing itself as a meeting place for generating connections between different areas, investing in research, in the selection of projects, and in their final implementation. As such, our identity as a true “integrated design district” becomes crystal clear.

For Milan Design Week 2019, 5vie confirms its editorial nature, positioning itself around three exhibits and a site-specific installation. Unfold as that design which looks to the resources of the territory, shining a light on submerged energies and cultures. Showcase artistic craftsmanship for what it’s worth.

From the mosaics of Spilimbergo, Monreale, and Ravenna to the Lecce stone of Lavagna, the alabaster of Volterra, marble of Carrara and Verona, and the glass of Murano, Altare, and Colle Val D’Elsa: a symbolic sample of the territorial resources is understood not only as a materialistic offering, but also as a vaunting of tradition and techniques which construct our artistic and cultural heritage.

In the mystical setting of the Oratorio della Passione, Didero works with Carlo Massoud to create her first solo show, a social and political exhibition filtered through a child-like vision. Roberto Sironi decides to tackle the hot-button topic of big data in a sophisticated exhibition curated by Annalisa Rosso installed in the intriguing setting of the Roman cellars of SIAM in Via Santa Marta. Nicolas Bellavance’s curates the work of Anton Alvarez, who experiments with new casting techniques for bronze with surprising results in a solo exhibition entitled L’ultima cera. The exhibition was held at the church of San Bernardino alle Monache, which open to the public only on this occasion.

Born out of a trip to Eindhoven, the collaboration with Kiki Van Eijk and Joost Van Bleiswijk takes the form of a site-specific installation in the by now familiar apartment on Via Cesare Correnti 14, headquarters of 5VIE with the participation of Niels Hoebers, Sander Wassink, and Michele Castagnaro. The objects, designed expressly for the occasion, represent autonomous forms whose function is only barely suggested, transporting the viewer into their creative process. “In my capacity as General Consul of the Netherlands, I appreciate the high standards of the international curatorial selection, and I consider the growing presence of Dutch designers in the 5VIE district to be a very positive development”, comments Johan Verboom. “Since 2016, the Embassy and Consulate have collaborated with the district, and this year we decided to support this project with the shared aim of promoting talent and design”.

Like every year, 5VIE dedicates Design Week to a great master. The guest of honor for this edition was Ugo La Pietra, an artist who established his reputation back in the late ’50s and whose production has since explored an incredible variety of creative techniques. His exhibition is entitled Design Territoriale, Genius Loci.

Porta Venezia Design District
Porta Venezia In Design, the fuorisalone circuit that combines design and art with the architectural and decorative heritage of the Liberty style. An itinerary divided into ‘three’: showrooms, stores and companies featuring new design and art, the food&wine itinerary, which finds space in some selected bars and restaurants, guided tours of the Liberty facades, organized in collaboration with FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano.

The idea of this circuit is to highlight places, sometimes ‘hidden’ in courtyards, other facing the road: design and furnishing companies, hospitality and leisure with good food and wine, architectural companies and workshops.

For Fuorisalone 2019, Park Associati in Via Garofalo 31 have opened its own Park Hub, hosting “Insecure: Public Space in the Age of Big Data”. The project, designed by Žan Kobal and Weixiao Shen and curated by Virginio Briatore, looks to challenge the status quo of surveillance systems, modifying the nature of its central nucleus: the surveillance camera.

DOS – Design Open’ Spaces
DOS_Design Open’ Spaces, the first district of the Milan Design Week promoted by Re.Rurban Studio and Emilio Lonardo Design, at its first edition, enhances the exhibitions and events on most of the Milanese territory thanks to the collaboration with the City of Milan an Milan Polytechnic.

DOS_WIDESPREAD DISTRICT, a route composed of many locations that branches off among all the districts of Milan Design Week. The locations was a showcase of companies and designers who have contributed to the reactivation of these fantastic places unfortunately forgotten. The route starts from Piazza 24 Maggio to reach Tortona, Brera, Isola, Porta Nuova. DOS_PARTIES, a series of events, different every day, that create an ad-hoc soundscape for the collective exhibition in the Headquarters of Piazza 24 Maggio.

DOS_Design Open Spaces is the youngest district in the panorama of Fuorisalone and presents its program of exhibitions and events promoting them through the site designopenspaces.it and the paper map, available during the week, and telling day by day the programming of events and exhibitions of Fuorisalone 2019. At its first edition, it selects and promotes the events, exhibitions and the best shops of the districts that host the different locations. DOS_Design Open Spaces is part of the Milanese circuit of Fuorisalone.it that unites all the Milanese events during the period of the Milan Design Week, with the patronage of the City of Milan.

In the heart of Milan, in the characteristic former Casello Daziario in Piazza 24 Maggio, the Headquarters of the project was animated with the collective exhibition of young designers on the first floor, which offers a breathtaking view of the dock, and with parties dedicated to the Milan Design Week under the porch. Great space also be given to media partners who report live, hour by hour, minute by minute, the life of the project and of the connected locations, all through posts on social networks, dedicated podcasts, live shooting sessions and interviews with designers and artists. A Temporary Book Store with a Design theme was set up on the ground floor of the Headquarters. There also be space for good food with the various food trucks strategically positioned in the magnificent area of the square.

In/Bovisa
INBOVISA is a cultural project of aggregation and communication, born from Associazione Zona Bovisa, for all the events and the actors of the Bovisa district in Milan. The goal is to enhance and implement this neighbourhood producer of innovation and creativity.

La Bovisa, was historically an industrial district with a labouring soul. In the last years this neighbourhood started an urban renewal process based on scientific research, training, culture development, design and innovation. During the Milan design week, Bovisa turn into a hub of event related to design and entrepreneurship: various creative and cultural start-ups identify this area as a reference point and as a district where innovation come alive.

Also this year some initiatives of this project was developed during the Milano Design Week 2019: from the 9th to 14th of April, IN/BOVISA aims to be the hub and the collector of all the different events and characters which wish to participate in a cultural project during the Fuorisalone.

Lambrate Design District
The Lambrate Design District return to Milan Design Week 2019, with events, exhibits, and decentralized installations spread across 13,000 square meters. Among the most interesting events, Din – Design In comes as a collective exhibit organized by Promotedesign.it in Via Massimiano 6 / Via Sbodio 9, giving a voice to over 100 designers, companies, and design schools.

Elsewhere, in Via Conte Rosso 34 at the corner of Via Ventura, a series of workshops concerning sustainability and upcycling have been organized to support the launch of Trash2Treasure, an online platform connecting companies with creatives to breath new life into what would otherwise be refuse. Finally, a garage in Via Ventura host S (WE) design, a cluster of Swedish designers active in the fields of product design, fashion, and jewelry.

Cascina Cuccagna
De Rerum Natura returns to Cascina Cuccagna from April 5th to the 14th under the title “Renaissance”. The venue feature two new events this year. The first comes in the form of an exhibit curated by Laura Traldi, “Design Collisions – The Power of Collective Ideas”, bringing together big ideas created by the community, for the community. The second, meanwhile, introduces a mobility partnership with MiMoto, an electric scooter sharing service, which was available for visitors and journalists to use throughout the event.

Selecting the projects aligned with the philosophy of De Rerum Natura, is Matteo Ragni, who looks to Da Vinci for guidance. “With his ability to think outside the canons, combining together technology, design and art, Leonardo Da Vinci has always been a source of inexhaustible inspiration for designers and companies. At 500 years after the death of this symbol of genius and cultural rebirth of our country, Cascina Cuccagna proposes a reflection on contemporary design that, in the name of a newfound harmony between man and nature, investigates possible and sustainable futures. A new Renaissance ”

Parenti Art & Design District
The Teatro Franco Parenti launches the Parenti District Art & Design, a new district enclosed between Piazza Medaglie d’Oro and Porta Vittoria, offering synergy between the performative arts and the world of art and design. At the Bagni Misteriosi, the Free Immersion project from Marina Nissim sees a collective exhibit with the works of 12 young Italian artists made especially for the space to engage with visitors. In the outdoor spaces of the pool, MoscaPartners present their installation Around the Water.

Galleria Blanchaert, meanwhile, take on the curation of various spaces in the Teatro Franco Parenti itself, presenting the installations grouped under the title Reflected Reflections. Here, six designers / artists produce pieces inspired by water, transparency, reflections, and their dynamic interactions with the environment using diverse materials.