The Salone del Mobile 2024 will take place shortly, between April 16th and 21st, at the Rho Fiera in Milan and will be its 62nd edition. The fair has been one of the most anticipated events of the year for furniture enthusiasts since its establishment in 1961, but the Salone del Mobile is not just that. Over five days, technology, innovation, expressiveness, and art come together to influence and be influenced by thousands of enthusiasts who travel from all over Europe for the event, which, as demonstrated by circulated data from past editions, is getting more and more international.
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The Salone del Mobile has always been a source of inspiration, however it also offers business opportunities and networking for industry professionals. Competition in the design world is very high, and there are many companies that do not make it past the first generation. This year, the Salone del Mobile includes a project curated by David Lynch. The director of "Twin Peaks" and "The Elephant Man" has decided to take part in the event by presenting A Thinking Room, two rooms located in pavilions 5 and 7 where the director brings all his cinematic and theatrical experience. Inside, the rooms are empty except for wooden armchairs equipped with some tools for drawing or carving, seven cylinders connecting them to the golden ceiling, carefully selected images by Lynch himself, a mirror, and a clock. The emptiness is only apparent, and the rooms, as recommended by the director, are meant to be crossed in solitude, with the aim of freeing the heart and mind from opinions, or uncomfortableness and filling them with new thoughts, perceptions, and sensations. Lynch comments, "Just the thought of being able to imagine a room for thinking is pleasant. A room that helps make it happen. Thought, I mean."
The way in which the director conceived these spaces, comments Maria Porro, as president of the Salone Del Mobile, allows us to enter his world with the intention of being inspired but, more importantly, to convey messages. Lombardini22 has allowed complete immersiveness even outside the room, building a masterplan that is of incredible scenic value but also in harmony with its "neighbours". The collaboration with the Piccolo Teatro di Milano was fundamental, as it allowed the director's thoughts to be transformed into images, in a process that was long and divided into multiple phases, capable of uniting the operational phase with the creative one.
Among the other exhibitions located at Rho Fiera, there are those of Eurocucina and FTK, which will host performances curated by international magazines that combine the very topical theme of food waste with design, ranging from waste management to ocean pollution.
The Salone del Mobile isn't just confined to Rho Fiera: instead, throughout the streets of Milan, there are many events and stands around the city called "Fuorisalone" meaning Outside the Salon. Despite not being part of the official fair, these events are extremely important to the Design Week where many brands, Interior Designers, hotels and more participate through conceptual installations, and design collaborations.
Among all, standout brands like Hermès will present an installation titled "On The Rocks," collaborating with Interior Design company Cassina and the French house Fondation Le Corbusier, focusing on the iconic LC14 Tabouret Cabanon stool, designed for the Cabanon, a cabin built by the legend Le Corbusier where all the furnishings were imagined as boxes. The installation will take place at Piazza San Fedele 1/3 from April 16th to 20th.
On the other hand, Moncler will be involved in transforming the Central Station from April 15th to 21st into one of the largest installations collaborting with artist J.R. "An Invitation to Dream" is the title that the fashion house has given to the project, with the fundamental contributions of Jefferson Hack and Jack Davison. Moncler's mission is to remind its guests of the importance of dreams, and it does so by making figures such as Daniel Arsham, Jeremy O. Harris, Francesca Hayward, Remo Ruffini, and many other influential figures in today's cultural landscape the main characters.
Etro will present at its boutique in Via Monte Napoleone "Quiltana," an armchair that reflects the style of the Maison directed by Marco De Vincenzo, whose fabric has been selected from the brand's archives and whose pastel colors recall vintage charm.
In the Barona district, the second edition of Labò will take place, an event that also involves Design Blender, which, in some locations of SPA (Società Prodotti Antibiotici) at Via Biella 6, will host designers, artists, art galleries, and international companies focused on the theme of raw materials and their creation.
The Salone del Mobile 2024 is about to begin, and the electric atmosphere enveloping Milan promises a truly extraordinary edition. As we prepare to immerse ourselves in creativity, innovation and design, we can't wait to go through all the Salone del Mobile events.
Milan's Design Week and its stories will undoubtedly influence the artistic landscape for years to come, once again confirming its status as one of the greatest events in the world of art and design.
Cover Image: Salone del Mobile 2024. Courtesy of Salone del Mobile 2024.
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