PREVIEW – SALONE DEL MOBILE 2022
Design holistically
A clear look ahead was recently shown at the press conference for the 60th edition of the Salone del Mobile in Milan. The 2022 events will feature a total of over 2,000 exhibitors. The theme of the time is "responsible design", which, from the design to the final result, serves the environment and people instead of causing them harm. "The Salone del Mobile has always been a catalyst for creativity, positivity and energy. We have always been a place of dialogue and construction, in Milan and at the Shanghai and Moscow editions. Now, we are as shocked as everyone else by the war in Ukraine and believe even more in the importance of being a crossroads of cultures and styles open to the world," says Maria Porro, President of the Salone del Mobile.Milano. And adds: "We cannot stand still, in fact we have a duty to move even faster in the direction of design, production and distribution solutions that are as sustainable as possible – what we need today is an ethical approach to design. We will see many companies at the Salone that are working hard to create furnishings with the wellbeing of the environment and of people in mind. The Salone firmly believes in the need for a real andimmediate ecological transformation". This includes architect Mario Cucinella's 1,400-square-metre installation as part of the S.Project, which represents the ideal future of living within a virtuous ecosystem.
The SaloneSatellite, under the direction of Marva Griffin, will present the work of over 600 young designers under the age of 35. The overarching theme of "Designing for our future selves/ Progettare per i nostril domani" is the lead for the approach to the designs. As a signpost for the future direction in design, the SaloneSatellite will also be given a due place: for the first time, the presentation will be shown in Halls One and Three. After curator Stefano Boeri cleared the table for new concepts with last year's special "supersalone" event, the Salone del Mobile.Milano is repositioning itself with a lot of fresh spirit and commitment. This includes adapting previous successful concepts to current challenges, such as the formats "Workplace 3.0" as a think tank for the new way of working, EuroCucina/ FTK – Technology For the Kitchen for the efficient equipping of kitchens as the interactive heart of the home, as well as the International Bathroom Ambience Fair, whose offerings will know how to combine a wellness atmosphere with sustainable water conservation. A number of guidelines have also been adopted for exhibitors to help them adhere to basic sustainability criteria in their presentations as well – such as using recyclable materials, taking into account the logistical sustainability of the sources of supply of the materials as well as the waste of materials, electricity and water. The extensive accompanying programme includes screenings by eleven Italian filmmakers in the Sala delle Cariatidi of the Palazzo Reale, including Davide Rampello, Francesca Archibugi and Claudio Giovannesi. There will also be numerous discussion panels, such as with Maria Cristina Didero, Beatrice Leanza and Chiara Alessi. Graphically, the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2022 will be accompanied by the works of Emiliano Ponzi, who knows how to capture the dynamic pulse of the last six decades of the Milan Furniture Fair in six illustrations, from the 1960s to today. "The Salone is Milan. And it always will be," says Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan. And adds: "Few events are as capable of celebrating know how and doing things well as the Salone del Mobile. This is why the design world waits, watches and takes part so enthusiastically in this event: because inspiration and originality are a given in Milan. Materials research, environmentally aware production, beautiful objects, furniture and useful and creatively shaped furnishing accessories will also be the stars of the 60th edition of the Salone. Its all-encompassing energy will fire up the city."
