Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1501754
S alone del Mobile is a Mecca for lovers of great design. While other fairs are worthy of your attention, none captures the spirit, nor encompasses the breadth of work, as Salone does. Split into Salone and Fuorisalone, exhibitions and architectural interventions take over the city in a magical way, sprawling across the Northern Italian city in boutiques, alleyways, city squares, and museums. By day, Milan hosts a who's who in the world of design and exhibitions; SALONE sprawls across the city in smaller spaces, with exhibitions ranging from collaborations between brands and well-known designers to independent designers, students of universities, and everything in between. This is, to me, where you feel the life force of the week. To see it, you must navigate Milan and interact on a visceral level. You must walk through city parks, down large boulevards, in and out of museums, town squares, and centuries-old churches to truly appreciate both the Italian culture and the amazing works that add another layer to this wonderful city. When navigating the city, take time to explore a bit. While Milan doesn't offer the breadth of historical monuments found in other notable Italian cities, it's full of charming Italian personalities. One of the joys of Milan is taking in the local culture. Pop into a cafe for a cappuccino or espresso, a small Italian cookie, or delicious pizza. In the evening, wander over to the famed Bar Basso for a Negroni and mingle with locals and other design aficionados as the crowds push people out of the bar onto nearby streets. In short, get out and explore. I n a week that offers more than a thousand exhibitions, countless talks, and a myriad of other options, it's an almost impossible task … so we've put together a list of some of the highlights from the week. We start on a historical note. The Triennale Milano art and design museum in Parco Sempione is housed in the Palazzo dell'Arte, designed by Giovanni Muzio and completed in 1933. Curated by Maria Cristina Didero and Richard Hutten, "Droog30. Design or Non- Design?" celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Dutch collective's inaugural exhibition in Milan. Founded by Renny Ramakers and Gijs Bakker, Droog had an outsized impact on the world of design. Key works from the collective's broad range were shown alongside commentary from both the designers and influential contemporary designers. For those who came of age in the '90s and early-2000s, it was a trip down memory lane and a must for design lovers. Also on view were a collection of works by influential Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia. The playful exhibition, "EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT," highlights Pesce's unusual approach to design, with brightly colored objects that challenge traditional norms. From the Triennale, we detour to the gorgeous historic Villa Necchi Campiglio, known to cinephiles as the setting for I Am Love (2009, Tilda Swinton) and House of Gucci (2021, Jared Leto, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Lady Gaga). Completed by architect Piero Portaluppi in 1935, the villa was built MAISON MOUTON NOIR By Steven Hempel by night, it buzzes with energy and parties, often spilling outdoors and onto the streets, spreading good vibes across the city. It's a beautiful week that celebrates creativity and showcases how great design enhances our lives. For those who have not been, there is nothing quite like it. For our purposes we will focus on Fuorisalone, which encompasses all the events and exhibits outside of the main Salone exhibition halls. Salone del Mobile is a true furniture trade show, housed in the 2.5-million-square foot exhibition space at Rho Fiera Milano. Fuorisalone, in contrast, Cascade of Light pendant by Morghen Studio, Galerie Philia 46