Picture above: The Bosch principal, “Home Connect makes your everyday life easier”.
“Come to the 55th year of wow in design.” That was this year’s moto–ever so popular since last summer- at the 55th edition of Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy. And it certainly gave justice to all actions, happenings, events , exhibitions, lectures and testimonials that took place this amazing week , from the 12th to the 17th of April. Some of the tags at the fair’s introductory video, meant to orient right to the essence of the event: “Beyond the object-Sound proof- Let there be light- Poetically simple- Technological evolution- Revolutionary directions- Alternative materials- Art world- Complexity of execution- Material as value – Lighting speaks to us- Artisan input- Simplification- Rigor becomes Poetry- Sophisticated and Specialist- Complex structured and technologically high- Art work basins- Luxury and sensuality-Wealth of materials- Shower plus- Timeless places- Modern Utopias- The Past is iconic model- Ethnic- Typological invention- Sophisticated attention to material- Nordic Minimalism”.
The features that made the heavier impact was evidently in the FTK (Future Technology for the Kitchen) area. The opening act at IMM this year 2016 has defined the evolution of the new dogma- present, complete and articulated in the Salone: “Home is where your App is”.”Home Connect”. Siemens, Bosch, Miele, Neff, Smeg counterparted their technological expertise in this New Epoch of home appliances : “household equipment connected to an App and transform the mobile device of the user into a remote control” (Smeg). Miele’s Invisible Kitchen promises networked, convenient an inconceivable cooking. Time, energy and money-saver, revolutionary for citizens with a handicap or limited mobility, great for hospitals and public function units. Italy opposed Germany with its stronger competitor in the field, strategically placed in the same pavilion corridor: Smeg added more to the established principal, showcasing a humane, sustainable and art-work designed equipment, exhibited in a stand surrounded with real jasmine bushes- on top with the presentation of the Dolce Stil Novo line of fridges , phenomenally art directed by Dolce and Gabbana.
The overall impression was so fascinating , as a shortcut of the movie Batman VS Superman. The two biggest and oldest technology and design forces in Europe- the Italian and the German school- playing their game on the same pitch. It is up to the market and the global economy unpredictable factors to tell which player’s approach will dominate finally in this new Sector, combining network technology and domestic appliances.
www.siemens-home.com
www.bosch-home.com
www.smeg.it
https://theinvisiblekitchen.miele.com
www.neff-international.com
From top to bottom: Shortcuts from the Smeg (3), Miele and Siemens products, stands and presentations.
“…A permeable space to cross, consult and observe that will help reconsider the fundamental role of finishes and components within the definition of the quality and the identity of our dwelling…”(Ico Migliore e Mara Servetto, MIGLIORE + SERVETTO ARCHITECTS).
www.space-interiors.it
www.miglioreservetto.com
www.mandelli.it
www.bebitalia.com
From top to bottom: The Mandelli company (est.1953) amazing door handles projection on the white block net (3). In detail the small cabinets with the architectural models, made by students. Another fascinating project designed by Migliore+Servetto Architects; the B&B Italia- The Perfect Density exhibition, one of the cultural manifestations at the Triennale di Milano this year.
The Salone is organizing its first venture in Shanghai, China this November 2016 but that did not stop thousand of Chinese trade operators from visiting the fair this year in Milan- strolling down those (red) corridors… There is no Chinese representation again this year at the Salone, since the 22nd China International Furniture Expo will take place this September (:the poster has NO difference with 2015 -apart from the year , remember :cost is more important than creativity;-)), so the copy-paste Chinese patrols intruded discreetly again the event at the Rho Fairgrounds. That does not mean in any way that there is not a flow of Asian young designers of insurmountable talent, providing exquisite pieces of work in the Salone Satellite 2016 exhibition and in the 21st Century. Design After Design Triennale International Exhibition.
The [Re]:illumination+Ongozaksin and the Material/Material catalogs of works for textile and furniture art respectively- by the graduates of Sangmyung University in Seoul, Korea ,the alamak!Design in Asia collective AND the Seoul National University (SNU) Design cluster of young designers- demonstrate a unique and fresh vision for the future generation of designers/users/consumers. Please explore the following links and some of the makers’ e-mails, this is undoubtedly the Way of the Future.
http://smulad.kr
www.alamakproject.com
http://art.snu.ac.kr
skjrov@snu.ac.kr
roserang.wooji@gmail.com
From top to bottom: 22nd China International Furniture Expo Poster 2016. Corona light object (Yun Jin, Kim Yoseong, Park Insung, Kang Shikun, Matias Martin Jeon: Sangmyung Univ.). NEBBIA Interactive Light (nbt.Studio, Taiwan: alamak!). I AM A MONUMENT-CCTV (Naihan Li, China: alamak!). Bori Throne- 2nd chair at the back (Gunjan Gupta, India: alamak!). A perspective view of the SNU Design stand where appearing works of Song Kijoung and Woo Jiyoun.
Last but not least, absolutely note-worthy Salone Satellite presence : the intense product design of Ekaterina Lyubimova (Moscow, Russia). Tables and armchairs you never forget to use and you never ignore to try.
In the Furniture sector of the Salone the neutral presence of German companies was overshadowed mainly by the Latinos- Italy, Spain, Brazil, Portugal-the latter thriving with energy in their natural habitat- alongside with the Swedish, the Japanese and the Vitra pavilions sharing equally the good vibes of non-stop visitors influx. The business of Sleep goes further post-IMM and flourishes-on , with presences from Greece, (:remember Sleep products continue to rise in terms of sales- Sleep is an expanding business due to the increase of 24/7 professions according to Sensorial Trend analyst Zuzanna Skalska). The Turkish furniture contribution completed the general image of the Salone stands without repercussions.
From top to bottom: Brühl. Zeitraum. Thonet. Missoni. Cassina. Plank. Magis. Diesel. A Lot of Brasil. Swedish Design Goes Milan (2). Karimoku (2). Vitra. N Design.
“…The Future is a choice. Cassina’s future lies in the renewal of continuity, a dynamic process which involves the mutation of original forms, an evolution of an idea, the influence of a classic….”Cassina, extract of the Origins of the Future exhibition manifesto , Cassina HQ, 16 via Durini, Milan.
From top to bottom: Convivium: marble table Top by CC STONE, video installation by Change Performing Arts and Ciarmoli Queda Studio, (Before Design Classic). Hall of Shadows: Pegaso armchair T2065 by TURRI, fabric Kotakot Black and Sassy Ivory by DEDAR ( Before Design Classic). Hall of Liberty :from left to right: armchair Carlo Zen 9255 by P& G CUGINI LANZANI , cabinet, Emile Gallé 7194 by P& G CUGINI LANZANI, armchair 9304 by P& G CUGINI LANZANI, armchair 0919 by MEDEA (Before Design Classic). Design After Design booklet:The Only Design You will ever need in your Life by Max Siedentopf, illustration Bart Eysink Smeets (3). Fabio Cammarata neck piece, Avant-Craft section: Brilliant!The Futures of Italian Jewellery. Redesign Your School (3). Women in Italian Design: Interweave.
They were utterly missed in this year’s Salone edition : Euroluce and Workplace 3.0! Until 2017 feast our eyes on the Artemide open house 2016 catalog presentation and the Workplace 3.0 announcing installation at the fair premises…
From top to bottom: Artemide new products and collaborations, Artemide HQ , 12 via Manzoni, Milan. A Joyful Sense at Work: Workplace 3.0 installation.
Something last, as a praise to Italian hospitality and comfort. The abundance of services for the Press and the visitors this year, was equivalent of personal care by a family member. In hard times like these, when committees decide upon committees on the disposition of very basic privileges- the Salone teams treated us with warmth, professionalism and respect. That has to be acknowledged and for that we are expressing our gratitude.
If you wish to acquire specific info on press kits and activities of the companies and events mentioned above –please do not hesitate to contact the administrator;-)). Enjoy and anticipate for next year, when the Salone will be once again ready to push the boundaries of the Design Known World.
Ci vediamo di nuovo-Arrivederci
A4D-D4A
ps. Don’t miss out the next post on the 31st of April, related to the Salone del Mobile 2016: Residences et al. Chapter 3: ROOMS. Novel living concepts. !!!
