In an unusual exhibition at Milan’s Triennale Design Museum, 800 objects which together represent life in Italy are on display. Collected by designer, architect and writer Alessandro Mendini, the objects have not been chosen for their beauty or good design but because they evoke an emotional response in Italians.
Therefore, on plinths and in spaces created by French designer Pierre Charpin, visitors can see the objects juxtaposed in unexpected ways.
The purpose of this is to amaze.
The objects range from the classical to the kitschy, the gigantic to the tiny, from famous icons of Italy to everyday, household items and among them are: a car, a giant Campari bottle, a giant version of Ferragamo’s 1938 sandal for Judy Garland, Murano glass, the original ET models, pieces of pasta, debris from the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake and an enormous replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Mendini believes that a parallel world of unorthodox design exists in Italy alongside conventional, “studio” design. In this exhibition he hopes that visitors will reflect on the objects they choose to live with and on the objects that they naturally associate with Italy:
“I was inspired by memories, by what we encounter during a lifetime. I observed objects and our relationship with them”, says Mendini.
The exhibition “Quali Cose Siamo” [“The Things We Are”] is at the Milan Triennale Design Museum until 27th February 2011.
While you are in Milan why not take a “Milan in One Day” private tour and be sure of seeing all the main sites? Organised by romaround, this seven-hour private walking tour takes in the Sforza Castle, La Scala, the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery and the Duomo as well as the Brera artistic district and the Montenapoleone Street fashion district.
The tour can also be arranged by limousine upon request. If you do not have time for this tour, romaround can also help you with their “Heart of Milan” three-hour private walking tour of the main tourist sites in the city. Email Sandra@romaround.com for information and prices of all romaround’s itineraries.
