From the Vespa to Lettera22: 20th century design on show at the Triennale

«Storie» opens in Milan, the eleventh edition of the Design Museum

The Triennale Design Museum is a “shifting” museum, which changes its set-up every year to offer new points of view and perspectives. The 2018 edition, the eleventh, opened on 14 April 2018, and can be visited until 20 January 2019.

STORIES

The title of the exhibition is «Storie» (Stories) and recounts the legend of Italian design in 180 works, examples of creativity associated with Italian industrial production. It’s a fascinating and intense program, which goes from the early 1900s to 1998, captivating visitors to this show which is unique of its kind. Throughout the exhibition you can encounter simple, commonly used everyday objects which now form part of our history; for example, you can admire the Poltroncina (Armchair) by Ernesto Basile, Perugina’s Bacio (chocolate), Superga’s canvass shoes and the Campari bottle designed by Fortunato Depero. The itinerary progresses through precise historic periods which are cultural, economic and political mirrors of our country.

FURNISHINGS THAT HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

For the years from 1946 to 1963, a number of design icons are exhibited, such as the Vespa and coffee machine by Gio Ponti, the Lambretta and the Lettera22; and for the years 1964-1972 there are the Graziella “foldable” bicycle, the Grillo telephone, the Ciao moped and the Eclisse lamp by Vico Magistretti. Then, for the decade from 1973 to 1983: the Coppa del Nonno (the actual ice-cream cup!), the Bidone aspiratutto (vacuum cleaner), the Tratto-Pen, the Panda and the Carlton bookcase by Ettore Sottsass. Finally, for the period 1984-1998: the Feltri armchair by Gaetano Pesce, the Juicy Salif fruit squeezer by Philippe Starck and the Tolomeo lamp by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina. Through «Stories», therefore, you can appreciate the best of Made in Italy in its most beautiful and noble versions, a tribute to Italian design in its various aspects. Unforgettable and iconic pieces, able to lend a special touch and personality, also today, to our cities’ houses, offices, cafés and restaurants, they are furnishings that have stood the test of time and still make their mark today with their charm and elegance.

TIMELESS ELEGANCE AND ALLURE

It is absolutely vital to choose finishings for floors and walls and suitable furnishings with great care if you wish to introduce and make use of iconic pieces like these in contemporary living areas.
Ceramiche Coem’s Arenaria collection, a porcelain stoneware with a very fine texture characterized by warm and pleasant colours, naturally creates a setting which is ideal for accommodating important design furnishings like those in «Storie». Arenaria is available in various finishings, from ivory, to dove grey, to warm grey and beige, extremely luminous shades that lend environments elegance and personality. In addition, the collection, being available in large sizes, allows for creating unique volumes and spaces, perfect for containing furnishings such as the “Pipistrello” lamp designed by the architect Gae Aulenti.
The exhibition at the Triennale is not, therefore, only a cultural and historical installation, but can also be an opportunity to gain inspiration from the best of Italian design, to find new and original solutions to make our environments unique, lending them timeless charm and elegance.

14 APR 2018 – 20 JAN 2019

TRIENNALE DESIGN MUSEUM
STORIES.
ITALIAN DESIGN
PALAZZO DELLA TRIENNALE – Viale Alemagna,6 – 20121 Milan
www.triennale.org