I Saloni will turn fifty in April 2011, and celebrations kick-off with a series of Italian design-focused events and programs in New York this December. I Saloni, or the Salone Internazionale del Mobile was originally established in 1961 as "a platform for the discovery and promotion of Italian design." The celebrations in New York aim to promote the same, starting with the most visible offering of Italian design: furniture showrooms. Artemide, B & B Italia, Kartell, etc. will host an "Italian Christmas" with special events (tba) from November 29th through January 8th.

Further celebrating will continue with Perchance to Dream, an exhibition curated by playwright, director, and artist Robert Wilson, from November 30th through December 18th at Center 548. Iconic Italian furniture will be on view alongside a series of video portraits featuring Italian ballet star Roberto Bolle dancing among some of the design works. And finally, for its first showing in the U.S., the video installation Leonardo's Last Supper, Peter Greenaway's interpretation of the Italian artist's masterpiece, will be shown at the Park Avenue Armory from December 3rd through January 8th.