REPORTAGE: Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023

The MAG - 05.23

By Cristina Morozzi

The Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023 was such a massive event with numerous activities that it's almost impossible to give a comprehensive reportage. However, the statistics indicate that the turnout of international visitors surpassed the previous pre-covid edition by 15%. This is a testament to Salone del Mobile. Milano continued appeal as a design mecca. The city remains unmatched in its ability to attract top talent and showcase the latest trends in the design world.

The city is unrivalled in its ability to attract top talent and showcase the latest design trends, with a plethora of events and presentations taking place in furniture and fashion showrooms, historic buildings, and unique locations like Alcova. This group show, curated by Joseph Grima and Valentina Ciuffi, occurred in the evocative spaces of the former slaughterhouse in Viale Pasubio.

I want to share some of my personal experiences at the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023. From what I saw, the Euroluce Fair was the highlight of the event, and it's easy to see why. The space was beautifully designed, and the lighting effects of the exhibitors were truly mesmerizing. Furthermore, the press conference announced that this fair had been missing from the previous two editions, making its return even more exciting. Overall, it was a fantastic showcase of design talent and innovation.

The Satellite, accessible directly from Euroluce, had its moment in the spotlight with the highly anticipated conference by Gaetano Pesce, the true showman of the Salone, who won over the younger generation by encouraging them to have faith in their ideas.

Gaetano Pesce has once again been impressed with his latest creations. His love for resins is evident in the new screen he presented for Cassina, along with a delicate soundtrack. The Bottega Veneta boutique via Montanapoleone 27 was buzzing with excitement as people of all ages flocked to see his resin installation. Gaetano has a way of attracting attention and creating a media frenzy, and this time was no exception. Inside the boutique, visitors were treated to a stunning resin tunnel, reminiscent of his famous installation at the 1974 exhibition at the Moma in New York, "New Domestic Landscape". The tunnel led to a podium where two of his sculpture bags were proudly displayed. It was a truly unforgettable experience that left all who saw it in awe.

Meritalia at the Triennale

At the Triennale, Gufram, which recently acquired the Meritalia company, set up a sort of theatre stage, covered with pea green carpeting, in a dedicated space on the ground floor, dedicated to the iconic pieces designed by Gaetano Pesce for the historic Brianza company. The Triennale has also inaugurated a new version of the design museum, curated by Marco Sammicheli and set up by Paolo Giacomazzi design studio.

Porro Collection
by Alessandro Medini

Porro, in its bright new space in via Visconti di Modrone has proposed colourful and happy re-editions of historic furniture by Alessandro Mendini.

If you're searching for something new, check out the recently discovered Capellini space on Via Borgogna n. 8. This two-story location is awe-inspiring due to its small garden accessible from Via Cerva. However, what really caught my attention was the cosy yet spacious interior, which exudes a welcoming atmosphere. The collections are displayed with a keen eye for detail, making it truly worth your visit if you crave comfort and happiness.

Cappellini Showroom

The "Spazio di Rossana Orlandi" in via Matteo Bandello deserves a special mention, which welcomes projects from well-known and up-and-coming designers, creating a stimulating and surprising atmosphere. One of the highlights of the space is the unique and oriental bazaar-like vibe.

Paola Navone does not disappoint and always manages to be original at Etaly proposed a unique setting to celebrate pasta with tomato sauce, the genuine pride of Made in Italy. Then, in her studio in Tortona, Paola arranged a lottery to give away some of the fascinating objects she had collected from various corners of the world. The event culminated in a fun cocktail party in the studio's small front garden. Paola referred to this garden as a "Barrel garden" because she had enclosed it with large blue bins commonly used for petrol in African countries.

Museo del design italiano at the Triennale

At the Circolo Filologico in via Clerici, as part of the design Variations group curated by Caterina Mosca, Poltronova showcased its famous icons and a series of carpets in a labyrinthine silver itinerary, which included unpublished works by Lapo Binazzi, a member of the radical Florentine Ufo group, as well as the re-edition of the Farfalla carpet by Archizoom. The presentation was titled "Ultrafavola," in homage to Ettore Sottsass' "Ultrafragola" mirror, which is the Tuscan company's best-seller and has been described by the New York Times as "Everyone's Favorite Selfie Mirror."

It's important to note that Milan is known for its design, furnishings, and photography. The "Milan Image Art Fair," organized by Fabio Castelli, took place a month before design week at Superstudio Maxi from April 20th to 23rd. Now in its 12th edition, this exhibition displayed a diverse collection of photographs from international photographers. Mia Fair, a significant event featuring over 100 exhibitors and 80 international galleries, also brings cultural insights through conferences, debates, and editorial presentations. This creates a vibrant and passionate atmosphere that energizes the city's visitors.