TREND: Pesce and Starck

The MAG - 06.23

By Cristina Morozzi

The showmen of the Salone del Mobile

In 2023, the Salone exhibition became a magnet for design enthusiasts worldwide. The event was graced by prominent designers, both established and new, who showcased their works to an eager crowd of industry experts, journalists, and curious visitors. The likes of Gaetano Pesce and Philippe Starck, who are icons in the field, dazzled the audience with their masterful storytelling skills, narrating their groundbreaking projects in a captivating and easily understandable manner.

Gaetano Pesce at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023

At the Satellite in Fiera event, Gaetano Pesce delivered a motivating speech to the younger generation. He emphasized the importance of being proactive and persevering even after facing rejection. Philippe Starck, on the other hand, believes that his success results from his ability to share the creative process behind each project. An excellent example of this is his book "Starck Explications," published in 2003 for his first solo exhibition at the prestigious Parisian Center Pompidou. The book features a preface by Marie Laure Jousset, highlighting each project's genesis and providing a glimpse into Starck's creative mind.

Philippe Starck's story is based on the relationship between the design of the object and its method of use. Speaking of the new transparent methacrylate chair "Medaillon," designed for the Dior Boutiques, he said he was inspired by proposing a Louis XVI-style seat with only one armrest by Marlene Dietrich, who always had a cigarette. While Gaetano Pesce reiterated how each of his projects depends on the nature of the material he investigates, trying to respect its characteristics with his shapes.