A utopia that is also the matrix of a message of peace and collaboration, beyond any border and any nationalism, creed or orientation, under the sign of creativity and solidarity. The city becomes thus a laboratory where it is possible to prototype utopias and to stage evolutionary hypotheses: 5VIE takes this opportunity to tell its full story, not only as a design district, but also as a community of interests, active all throughout the year. It is design in transition, an experimental project by 5VIE, which has its core in the building of SIAM, a historical institution dedicated to arts and crafts, and then expands to the collective dimension of the neighbourhood, in an attempt to co-design a more sustainable future through design. It is an interdisciplinary laboratory, aimed at realizing hybridizations between the areas of design, art, fashion and crafts, basing on the needs of the current transition.
The theme will be declined along different yet interconnected lines: the guest exhibitions and the 5VIE productions; the partner projects; the territory and its actors; and finally, the dedication that every year we entitle to a designer or architect, who established itself as an interpreter of excellence, which this year goes to the radical collective Archizoom Associati.
The involvement of Poltronova was a natural consequence of this choice. Poltronova is a company that was able to give substance to Archizoom's visions between the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the entrepreneurial courage of Sergio Cammilli and the enlightened artistic direction of Ettore Sottsass.
At the 5VIE Headquarter, in via Cesare Correnti 14, the Centro Studi Poltronova presents a focus on Archizoom's work, setting up a reading corner where you can consult two volumes of the series Le Monografie di Poltronova, Superonda: Archizoom Associati and the last issue Mies + Sanremo: Archizoom Associati. You can relax while reading through books, while sitting on the historic Superonda chair by Archizoom Associati, in its new Farfalla version for indoor and outdoor use. Woven Whispers by Richard Yasmine, an installation that represents our social system on a small scale, highlighting the physical and at the same time psychological roots of a society and its infrastructures. A monumental monolithic pillar that imitates Ancient History buildings, and precisely the tower of Babel. At the same time, the pillar is also a symbol of communication, solidarity, union and harmony among human beings. The installation, which accompanies and contextualizes the Lebanese designer's latest furniture collection, is entirely hand-made. It is a praise to craftsmanship furthermore a proclamation to preserve our vanishing cultural heritage, while exploring the relationship between the East and West. little monsters / scary beasts by co/rizom stages the synergy between design, enterprise, and craftsmanship, paving a way for new creative developments that are truly sustainable, in a process of empowerment of local communities through the enhancement of their traditions and culture. For the third year, 5VIE will also curate two group exhibitions to give the opportunity to emerging designers and brands to show their work in the heart of Milan, by sharing of a space that, before being a physical space, can be a space for discussion and dialogue. The result is a review of international designers, who present their new projects in the context of Milan Design Week. In the Galleria Benefattori: Ahu presents Modern Heirlooms, a young studio based in London and Istanbul that designs collectible pieces produced by master craftsmen in Istanbul; The Empty Dinner presents Absence Stool, a work inspired by the sense of loss that comes with the separation from a loved one; Tom Fereday presents Port Light, a celebration of the properties of crystal glass in the form of a refined collection of lamps, in collaboration with the Australian company Rakumba Lighting; TU BI, a project of ceramic sculptures by Ivan Tafuro, inspired by the elements and urban decorations of the city of Milan. Inside the FabLab spaces: Alexandre Labruyère with the Pétiole collection; Amodino Milano presenting All the Things You Are, ceramic objects; Elham Nejati's marble sculptural objects; Giulia Archimede's Amala and Rebirth lamps; Moure / Studio presenting two collectible pieces, the Silvia table and the Hughes stool; Luciana Teixeira with a selection of lamps and furniture designed for Supapo Criativo, and handmade by Brazilian artisans; Zarolat with the limited edition Luna Chair. 5VIE continues its collaboration with HoperAperta, which this year proposes a theme - La Superficie Assoluta (The Absolute Surface) - inspired by the work of the French philosopher Raymond Ruyer. The project will have a double exhibition venue (at the terrace of the Hotel Ariston and at the Banner space in Via Sant'Andrea). Hoperaperta gets architects, designers and artists in dialogue with Italian furniture companies, in the creation of works of art-design. In particular, a collection of 13 unique pieces vases will be exposed at the Hotel Ariston, all signed by Alessio Bertallot & Pointillistico (sound installation), Analogia Project, Cristina Fiorenza, Ivan Forcadell with Juan Salvado, Irene Nordli, Anne-Sophie Oberkrome, Matteo Pellegrino, Rudy Ricciotti, Zanellato/Bortotto. In the precious setting of Palazzo Litta, Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship presents Doppia Firma. Through dialogues between design and high craftsmanship, this project from Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d'Arte puts on display a unique collection, fruit of a creative exchange between a designer/artist and an artisan, or a manufacturer of excellence: works that stem from a cross-fertilization between the culture of design and a know- how that is an authentic expression of its region of origin. Masterly – The Dutch in Milano, the event dedicated to Dutch design, craftsmanship and art, celebrates its Sixth Edition. Nicole Uniquole, creator and curator of the event, returns to Milan to present the selected participants: designers, architects, artists, artisans, schools and companies. The journey through the latest trends in international design continues through different exhibitions and installations in the locations of the district.
