Chris Fordham, Design Editor of this parish and such a great Italophile that he carries his own tazzina around with him, is planning his trip to Milan.
Before he packs his bags we asked him for some words of wisdom for all the other UK pilgrims who’ll be making the journey to Euroluce 2023.
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The Salone Del Mobile, of which Euroluce is a part, is quite simply a caffeine- and sometimes Negroni- fuelled design fest, an event so large that fear of missing out, far from being a possibility, is pretty much a certainty.
The 61st edition of the Salone del Mobile. Milano is being held at Fiera Milano Rho from 18th to 23rd April, and to help you navigate this design nirvana, I’m listing what to expect, a few places to go and what’s caught the eye this year before the event even kicks off. At least that way you will be able to stroll around the design capital of the world with the panache of a Milanese, along with the sound footing of a British Design aficionado….The Britanese are coming !
Weather – Milan can be hot, like really hot, in the summer; hot and so humid that sometimes as soon as you get out of the shower you almost wonder if its worth drying yourself. But in April, to be honest, it can be a bit hit and miss. The country is currently experiencing a bit of a drought so it may not tip it down, but from past experience quite frequently it does – so be prepared to get those Gucci loafers wet!
The Exhibition – This year the organisers for Euroluce have made a real effort to improve the layout of the fair and I quote –
‘Forsaking its chequerboard layout, Euroluce’s footprint has evolved to become smart, extraordinarily user-friendly, better connected and more sustainable, thanks to the vision of the Salone del Mobile. Milano and the Lombardini22 design studio, with a view to creating an increasingly engaging and contemporary business platform’
The separate pavilions were always a bit of a mission, so I am happy that they have managed to create something different. It can’t be easy to come up with an easy format but in Salone del Mobile we trust ! It may be a cultural thing but I sometimes have to laugh at how its explained in such fantastical terms, check out this press release –
‘The biennale space works as an entirely new magical, luminescent wrapper which, having gathered in all the light in the world, opens out bit by bit as if to invite visitors inside to discover not just the technical, design-related and commercial side of the exhibition but, above all, the emotional charge bound up with this absolutely crucial element in design and architecture’
After reading this I sort of feel like I’m going into an alternative reality but, hey, wouldn’t that be nice?! The heart of the biennial will be Aurore, a large plaza; an arena for immersive and reflective experiences and the venue for a number of talks. They are seeking to create ‘ a veritable City of Lights, complete with streets, squares and points of social focus ‘
This year there is a new interactive map which you can find in the ‘Exhibition map’ section of the website, the YouTube clip (below) tells you what to expect from it. It looks quite handy.
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When I visit the Salone I always try to pick out a couple of my favourite architectural and decorative manufacturers, and a few wild cards, the list below is just a few taster bites.
- Ingo Maurer GmbH | 11 | 208
Check out the pic-a-stic - Targetti | 15 | 128
Check out the IVY indoor / outdoor lighting stem integrating lighting control, sound environmental sensors. - Artimede spa | 11 | 114
Check out INTEGRALIS® - Arizzi | 09 | 248
Check 3017 Bronze wavy pendant - Slamp Spa | 09 | 114
Check out ARIA INFINITA - K-Lighting | 11 | 246
Check out Line Vitoria - Fabas Luce | 09 | 240
Check out POM - Foscarini | 11 | 106
Check out Tonda - .
And in other places:
There are a couple of cool exhibitions that may be worth a visit –
- Ingo Maurer, the German company will present Maurer’s unique creativity through an open-air light installation at Caselli 11-12 of Porta Nuova, in Piazzale Principessa Clotilde
- FIAT BULB. The Edison Syndrome, an exhibition that pays tribute to the classic incandescent lightbulb through art and design in Pavilion 15 (Curated by Martina Sanzarello)
- Dawns. The Lights of Tomorrow. Curated by Martina Sanzarello Pavilion 15
- Outside the fair, you must go to the Tortona area where you will find Superstudio. It may not all be lighting but it’s good craic for your design juices
Oh, and the perfect hub for the design community is bar basso – relatively unchanged since the 1950’s ! Enjoy and see you there !
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And from our health and well-being correspondent:, don’t forget:
- Wear comfortable shoes. If you’re there for a few days, have a change of footwear to hand . . . er, , foot.
- Moisturise on the outside and keep hydrated on the inside. Alcohol doesn’t help – sorry.
- Eat well and regularly. You’re in Italy after all!
- Tempo, tempo, tempo. Pace yourself.
- Most importantly, have a good time.
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