The association of form, function and aesthetics has witnessed a colossal amount of flux across infinite souls, globally, in different time periods. Hence the syntax of design infuses our mind with distant memories of happiness and nostalgia.
Each one moves around with a single page of this huge story. And Salone is akin to a convergence where all these pages come together to unleash the complete tale. A tale which promotes good taste and is aimed at gratifying the needs of decorating your living, office and commercial spaces with the best names in the business.
For Italy as also for the rest of Europe the lineage of architecture and design is of prime importance. It is akin to a flexible adhesive which imparts each region with its unique identity and also keeps them together as regional cousins. Meanwhile the genesis of the contemporary syntax led to timely evolution in the landscape of Italian design. And others followed suit.
In Salone a look at the classic, xlux and the design pavilions conjures up the grandeur and glory of this co-existence. A co-existence where the jewels of the old world stares at you with aplomb and the new world consistently allures with its simplicity, style and innovation.
A stroll in these giant pavilions can be quite tiring but the bespoke uniqueness it gives you access to makes the effort worth it. 386,236 attendees from 181 different countries realized this joy over a period of six days.
And supporting this realization were 2,418 exhibitors, 34% of them from 43 different foreign countries. The exhibitors were split between the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, Euroluce, Workplace3.0 and S.Project, including the 550 designers under 35 who took part in SaloneSatellite.
As my journey as an observer continued across different pavilions, the concise mastery of product presentation was at play. The utilization of colors and the detailing were contemporary case studies of brand representation. Pure white fountains at one end to a blast of green at the other, then there were ones who had added a dose of chronology to it. This allows even a first timer to gauge the infiniteness of the brand in question.
I was particularly fascinated by the products at Euroluce. The quirkiness and fusion of everyday situations in light design caught my attention. Especially the lights designed by Matteo Ugolini’s brought a smile on my face.
Apart from professionals whose names remain etched in the history of design Salone continues to attract young minds who define the future of design. SaloneSatellite is an apt testimony to that fact. The theme for SaloneSatellite this year was – Food as a design object. And gauging by the attempt made by young minds to define this scenario you might think “Is gluttony a sin?”
Virtue or Sin but three winners emerged from the league of young creative minds and they were conferred with SaloneSatellite Award. The first place was secured by KuliIKuli Studio from Japan while Philipp Hainke from Germany and Baku Sakashita from Japan went on to become the first and the second runner ups.
Debuting this year at Salone was S.Project. With its multi-sectoral focus ranging from interior to outdoor furnishing, wellness products to fabrics, lighting to acoustic solutions, and coverings to finishes. S.Project was designed to be a new business-to-business platform that reinforces the alliance between retail, designers and companies by providing an end-to-end experience with the ultimate networking environment.
This year Salone was even more special owing to the Da Vinci connection. Born in Florence, Leonardo Da Vinci’s is often known as the renaissance specialist who rebuilt the city of Milan. Today Da Vinci’s name has become synonymous with innovation globally. Years later generations continue to be inspired by his intellect. An intellect which has etched its glory across a myriad of faculties including design and architecture. And on the 500th year of his death anniversary Salone Del Mobile which is known to attract creative pilgrims the world over paid an ode to his genius.
One of them was in Rho Fierra itself. Conceived by Davide Rampello and designed by architect Alessandro Colombo the installation titled “DE-SIGNO” showcased the approach of the present day Italian companies towards design vis-àvis the techniques and craftsmanship as defined by Da Vinci himself. Using detailed images and music DE-SIGNO brought into limelight DaVinci’s approach towards design which has continued to intrigue and inspire present day designers and manufacturers in Italy and perhaps the rest of the world as well.
The organizers of Salone ensured Da Vinci’s footprints in the Italian renaissance was also highlighted in the heart of Milan. At the Conca dell’Incoronata, the wooden gates of which were designed by Leonardo himself, ‘Aqua’ took center stage. A site specific immersive experience, it took a leaf out of Leonardo’s deep connection with water.
Numerous people and tourists braved the winter and rain to witness the experience which began in a mirror room and culminated with a projection. The projection towards the end became transparent to reveal an astonishing recreation of Leonardo’s designs. To create this scenario jets of water, sounds, strobe lights and illusions were utilized. Aqua witnessed an average of 2000 visitors a day. Such was the hysteria!
After presenting a concoction of design, creativity, business and networking to a globally diverse audience the 58th edition of Salone came to a close with an evening at Palazzo Marino. During the event a Special Lifetime Award was presented to Mario Bellini, the multifaceted and innovative Milanese designer, whose furnishings and objects have revolutionized the taste and style in the contemporary framework.
Besides which it was also intended as a thank you for his huge contribution to the Salone through his collaboration with numerous exhibiting companies. After invigorating my design sensibilities with the best of what the world had to offer, it was time to head back home but not without saying goodbye to Da Vinci. Hence off I went to Florence to immerse my mind in the stories of this Italian prodigy, I will not go into the details but I must say it was totally worth the effort.
After enjoying the Milanese and Florentine winter, I headed back to the city of dreams courtesy Turkish Airlines. And once the plane landed at the Terminal T2 of the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, it was finally time for me to get out of my winter clothing and embrace the summer which had set in. I hope the winters arrive soon.
Text By: Vikas Bhadra
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