Do you speak Design? The latest from Salone del Mobile 2023
Returning to Milan from 18-23 April, here’s what we know so far about Salone del Mobile 2023.
Returning for its 61st edition, Salone del Mobile will take over Milan from 18 – 23 April, launching with an overarching theme of light, and with a reworked trade fair model. Hosted at the Fiera Milano Rho, there will be an expected 1,962 exhibitors and 370,000 visitors attending from across the globe. As we wait in anticipation, here’s what we know about the event so far.
Watch this space for the latest on Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023
The City of Lights
Led by design professor Beppe Finessi, Salone will feature interdisciplinary and experiential installations exploring the concept “the city of lights”. Exhibitions, talks and workshops have been lined up by the fair’s editorial director, Annalisa Rosso, ranging in topic from architecture to art. With a strong focus on lighting, technology and sustainability, these discussions will involve leading names in contemporary design, including Shigeru Ban, Kjetil Trædal Thorsen and Marius Myking of Snøhetta, as well as Nao Tamura and Andrea D’Antrassi of MAD.
Aurore, designed by Formafantasma
Euroluce 2023
After a four-year hiatus, all rooms throughout biennial international lighting exhibition Euroluce have been darkened to increase the effectiveness of the lighting displays and “city of lights” theme, and restructured into a ring-shape designed by Lombardini22. Salone has moved the cultural programme here for 2023, with exhibitions throughout Pavilions 9, 11, 13 and 15 as well as a specialist design, art and illustration bookshop, created by Maurizio Nannucci, one of the most powerful interpreters of artificial light in contemporary art.
In the largest arena, Aurore – designed by Formafantasma – a city square will be replicated with an immersive take on light, combining colours, materials and sounds, which will also play host to the main talks programme. The studio has also developed twelve Constellations, a set of architectural ‘intermezzos’ that will host further exhibitions within a show curated by Finessi.
Elsewhere, contemporary photographer Hélène Binet (who explores the relationship between natural light and architecture) will be on show, Martina Sanzarello pays homage to the classic incandescent light bulb and a Matteo Pirola-curated display will feature “artificial stars” – luminous devices that “astronomer-designers” are examining including reflective surfaces and coloured auroras, set up by From Outer Space.
The fourth exhibition by Michele Cazavara will show architectural images of interiors in which artificial light is the protagonist. A hybrid experience, this exhibition space will be the venue for workshops by exhibiting companies, professional meetings and demonstrations.
SaloneSatellite
The 24th edition of SaloneSatellite will continue to celebrate the talent of international young designers – aged under 35 – from across the globe. Described by founder Marva Griffin as “the Salone within the Salone”, this year’s event will feature Italian sculptor, designer and architect Gaetano Pesce who will share his top takeaways from a lifelong career, and discuss the event’s theme ‘training and the challenges of the future’.
When: Open to the general public from 18 – 23 April
Workplace 3.0
More than just an exhibition, Workplace 3.0 is a think tank on the evolution of workspaces. Here, discussions revolve around the future of design and technology in workspace planning and how the two components sit together. Expect to see the finest products designed for reception areas and office spaces brought to you by companies who lean on a new way of curating the office.
When: Open to trade 18 – 23 April, general public 22 – 23 April, and students 21 – 23 April
International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition
Launched in response to the growing demand for decorative items, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition has become the sector’s leading event, showcasing a comprehensive collection of decorative objects, furnishing accessories and textiles for the home. Featuring the latest buzzwords and trends, the exhibition will offer an exclusive look at innovative design pieces that will bolster commercial spaces.
When: Open to the general public 22 – 23 April and students 21 – 23 April
Halo Horizon by Mandalaki will feature as part of the Matteo Pirola exhibition
Sustainability
Sustainability remains at the forefront of Salone’s agenda. As the first trade fair to join the UN Global Compact last year, the event organisers are now striving to achieve the ISO 20121 standard, a certificate that declares the event is removing or reducing negative social, economic and environmental impacts. As a result, Formafantasma and Lombardini22 have created modular structures for Salone and Euroluce to ensure that the exhibitions will have continuity, and suppliers have been sourced who use recycled, recyclable or reused materials.
The official Salone del Mobile.Milano app will be updated with new functions and services, including augmented reality and wayfinding. Once again, it will be possible to purchase tickets, access details of the products on exhibit and scan QR Codes onsite to access more information.
Tickets will go on sale from the second week of March. See you in Milan!
