Brera Design District, three words capable of gathering over 140.000 people. Projects, installations, meetings with designers, parties: that's how the Fuorisalone turns an entire district into the beating heart of creativity, while design is the common thread connecting all the events. Actually, design is what makes it happen.
The 6th edition of the Brera Design District – including Brera Extra – will extend its perimeter towards the area of Porta Nuova. Here Samsung has its new office, in the so called “Diamantino” (Little Diamond, in Viale della Liberazione 9), the building hosting Embrace: Sensorial Experience, an installation that analyzes what stands at the foundations of the interaction between people and technology. Besides Samsung, also Mazda is main sponsor of the Brera Design District. The car company presents the Mazda Design Collection in its Design Space (Via San Carpoforo 10): a collection of objects based on the philosophy KODO - Soul of Motion. Finally, Swiss watchmaking brand Tissot is the Official Timekeeper of the event.
The three ambassadors of this year's edition are designer Luca Nichetto, artist Patrick Tuttofuoco and the architecture firm Piuarch, who will introduce their creations. Besides them, some of the most famous Italian and international firms, among which Sebastian Herkner, Arik Levy, Karim Rashid, Michael Anastassiades with projects created for the Check brand Verreum, which aims at rediscovering the silver glass tecnique (Via Dell'Orso 12); also, Emmanuel Babled, Lorenzo Damiani, Francesco Faccin, Gordon Guillaumier, Paolo Ulian and their basins-sculptures created for Alfa Marmi (Largo Treves 5).
Walking along the district's streets, “Fuha” by Fabrica for Daikin, in collaboration with Studio Formafantasma, is something you don't want to miss: 10 installations comparing air with sound, weight, consistency and visitors themselves (Foro Bonaparte 60). Interesting, in a very evocative location, the exhibition on Danish design “Mindcraft”, curated by the duo GamFratesi (Chiostro Minore di San Simpliciano, via dei Cavalieri del Santo Sepolcro 3). Also unmissable, the debut of the furniture collection printed and produced by Spazio Pontaccio (Via Pontaccio 18). Rubelli Casa's new collection, featuring works designed by Luca Scacchetti, will be launched in the new showroom in via Fatebenefratelli 9, while Richar Ginori's collection designed by Alessandro Michele, the new creative director of Gucci, will be introduced in the new exhibition space in Piazza San Marco 1 - Via Brera 2.
The Botanic Garden hosting “The Garden of Wonders. A Journey Through Scents”, is worth a visit; the exhibition is coordinated by Ferruccio Laviani and includes works by Tord Boontje, Dimore Studio, Jaime Hayon, Piero Lissoni and Nendo (Via Brera 28). On view at the gallery Nuages, “Ugo La Pietra. Scents and Flavors” is a collection of drawings and ceramics by the artist (Via Del Lauro 10). The gallery a15 focuses on the work of Joe Colombo, while the Media Library (Via Moscova 28) presents “In the shape of bread” and the new collection of interior design introduced by the e-commerce LOVEThESIGN. Valcucine is launching the new Genius Loci kitchen and “Tempting Art” installation: 22 architects and designers explore the 'foddie' realm, presenting an imaginary culinary menu (Corso Garibaldi 99). The Milan Architects' Association organizes the exhibition “A 40 years long gallery. 40 years with the gallery of Antonia Jannone”, while the garden is hosting the Sacea Recharging Zone.
As for the foreign collectives, the Pelota is hosting the Austrians with “Austrian Design Pioneers”: 70 exhibitors offering an overview on the new creative trends (Via Palermo 10). The room Napoleonica at the Brera Academy hosts the projects Belgium is Design and Designer of the Year, together for “Confronting the Masters”. The Swiss Ecal - University of Art & Design of Lausanne presents #ECAL #PhotoBooth (Via Dell’Orso 16). And there's more: Berlin Design Selection-Dynamo Design Berlin e.V. (Via Goito 3), the exhibition “China meets Italy”, curated by the Chinese association Lighting Innovation Design Center (Via Clerici 10). Also, brands like the Brazilian Sollos (Via Solferino 40) and Japanese Karimoku New Standard (Via Palermo 1).
A moment of well deserved relax is provided by XIE XIE Tea, offering the high mountain Oolong tea blend. During the weekend, the nursery school Rigotondo will entertain the young guests of the Fuorisalone. Let us know what you like the most or share your opinions with us, by using the hashtag #breradesigndistrict.
Happy design everyone!
