Supersalone was akin to a shot in the arm for the architecture and design enthusiasts in a timeline when Covid-19 induced situations have made offline events an impossible task.
Supersalone, Photo Courtesy: Andrea Mariani
“Yes it’s finally happening,” said Valerie . It was almost midnight in Mumbai and I was getting ready to hit the bed. “Well, Valerie, if it’s happening and you are lucky enough to be there, do keep me posted.” I responded and snoozed off in la la land. Next morning as I filtered through the emails in my inbox an official mail from Salone confirmed what I had heard the night before.
Supersalone opening ceremony, Photo Courtesy : Diego Ravier
Amidst a timeline when businesses were keen to reorient themselves and resume operations it was reassuring to know that Salone Del Mobile 2021 or Supersalone, as it was being referred to, was finally happening. For many people like myself and Valerie it was a special moment. Although we were in different countries Salone was akin to that common design element which brought us together for conversations and more.
Forestami, Photo Courtesy : Andrea Mariani
Sustainability has been a key element of design. Numerous designers have consistently furthered the cause of sustainability and implemented it in their design. With the looming pandemic, the need for sustainability on revitalising a life entrenched in wellness and good health has been amplified. Effects of this phenomena were witnessed in Supersalone as well, beginning with the Forestami project. While passing through the entrance of Super Salone visitors made their way through 100 medium height trees, 100 more were placed inside the venue. All these trees are now in the process of being planted in the city Milan, thus implementing the Forestami project.
The Lost Graduation Show, Photo Courtesy : Diego Ravier
Supersalone lent a much needed encouragement to the design students who graduated amidst the pandemic. 170 projects from students who graduated between 2020 and 2021, from 48 leading design schools in 22 different countries exhibited their products across a large portion of Halls 2 and 4 at Rho Fiera. The exhibition titled “The Lost Graduation Show” was curated by Anniina Koivu, this was for the first time this exhibition was held and it brought together different faculties of design together.
Take Your Seat, Photo Courtesy : Andrea Mariani
To facilitate individual success stories in design and deliberate on the pressing topics in design Supersalone held The Makers Show and Open Talks. Through its collaboration with ADI/Compasso d’Oro Award, Supersalone also hosted an interesting project-installation titled Take Your Seat. The exhibition which showcased 130 chairs utilised it as a narrative for showcasing design responses to newer cultural paradigms in the society.
Sillage d’Hermès armchair, Photo Courtesy: Hermes
The impact of the pandemic did not diminish the exposition of brands which Salone is known for. In Supersalone 425 brands showcased their wares, 16% of these were from countries other than Italy. Though Indians were unable to make it to the event in view of the Covid 19 restrictions in place, Indian design did find representation at the fair. Bijoy Jain’s papier-mâché armchair and table for Hermès Home, were on display at Supersalone.
The Lost Graduation Show, Photo Courtesy: Andrea Mariani
The spaces made available to the companies inside the fair were designed to ensure that the products stand out, while keeping the use of support structures to a minimum. All the materials and components of the installation conceived by Andrea Caputo – long parallel sets designed for the specific goods categories – and by Stefano Boeri Interiors – the communal areas: food courts, arenas, lounges – were achieved using a reduced quantity of chipboard panels (1,230 mc ), made from 100% recycled wood, which will then be channelled back into the production cycle with a view to circularity, saving 553,500 kilograms of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Quinti at Supersalone, Photo Courtesy : Andrea Mariani
Supersalone also merged the physical event held at the Rho Milan Fairgrounds with an online one and in doing so it redefined the digital footprint of the event. The new Salone del Mobile. Milano TikTok account, onto which 19 videos were uploaded during the first 5 days of “Supersalone,” had more than 630,000 views in total, while the first three episodes of the Super! Podcast were streamed 2,000 times, immediately making their way into the Top 100 Italian Apple Podcasts. The social channels (Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter), registered 15 million impressions, 25,000 interactions and 50,000 video viewings.
Open Talks, Photo Courtesy : Andrea Mariani
The Supersalone has bolstered the confidence of designpreuners and event organizers across the globe. It has brought back the enthusiasm and focus on good design and in years to come, it will also be known as an event, which rekindled our love affair with design in difficult times. As far as the difficult times are concerned, well ‘This too shall pass’ and gradually it is being witnessed across different parts of the world.
(Compiled By : Vikas Bhadra)
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