Core77

Triennale di Milano 2016 Offers Up Questions on Gender in Design and the Power of Subtlety

By Allison Fonder - April 29, 2016

Grand Entrance The path to the Triennale's "Women in Italian Design" exhibit. The exhibition addresses the question of gender in design by tracing the long but often overlooked history of women in Italian design. Allison Fonder 1 of 70

"Dreams in His Hands (Sogni fra le mani)" by Valeria Scuteri, 2004 Work by fiber artist Valeria Scuteri. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 2 of 70

"Olivetti Lettera 32" by Lucia Biagi, 2009 A fun crocheted typewriter piece by Biagi, a contemporary cartoonist. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 3 of 70

"Without Seams (Senza cusidure)" by Attiliana Argentieri, 1978 Beautiful weavings in the first room of the exhibition by Argentieri floated above museum-goers. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 4 of 70

"Shopping T" by Paola Anziche, 2004 This piece by Anziche, an artist based in Milan, was part of an interactive exhibition involving several knit pieces meant to encourage economic exchange between individuals. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 6 of 70

"Twelves Hairs (Dodici Capelli)" by Geny Iorio, 2008 An astoundingly delicate work made entirely from hair by Milan fashion designer Iorio. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 7 of 70

"Manhattan" by Olga Finzi Baldi, 1957 The expansive exhibition of objects displayed the history chronologically, starting with elegant illustrations and objects from the early half of the 20th century and ending on a display of the materially exploratory designs of today. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 8 of 70

Pieces in the exhibit ranged from highly functional to merely sculptural. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 9 of 70

"Mod. 993" by Pia Crippa, 1970 (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 10 of 70

The exhibition incorporated several experimental examples from the Italian fashion realm. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 11 of 70

"Karella" by Liisl Beckmann, 1966 (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 12 of 70

Due Più Chairs by Nanda Vigo This one looks familiar! Read more about Vigo's fascinating design history in our Designing Women column. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 13 of 70

"Carta Fossile" Vases by Clara Rota & Roberta Colombo, 1987 These ceramic works from the 1980s could easily fit in with objects being made in 2016. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 14 of 70

"Tour" by Gae Aulenti, 1993 So who's going to buy this for the Core77 office? (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 15 of 70

"Swing" by Martine Bedin, 1988 A handsome piece by one of the Memphis Group originals. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 16 of 70

"Genesi stella piccola" Sponge Lamp by Masayo Ave, 1998 Sponge lamp! (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 17 of 70

"Pullover" Lamp by Anna Aurora Lombardi, 1995 (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 18 of 70

"Extra Vergine" by Nunzia Carbone, 1998 A piece demonstrating a little classic Italian humor. (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 19 of 70

"La tavola imbandita" by Kazuyo Komoda, 2000 (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 20 of 70

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"La tavola imbandita" by Kazuyo Komoda, 2000 (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 22 of 70

"S-pot" by Maddalena Selvini, 2011 We were excited to see works of recent design graduates of Italian descent being displayed alongside classic female designers (Selvini is a recent graduate of Design Academy of Eindhoven) Allison Fonder 23 of 70

"Falo" by Terry Dwan, 2004 (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 24 of 70

"Moment candles" by Livia Rossi, 2009 This work was made by one half of the design duo behind Dossofiorito, who also presented work at Spazio Rossana Orlandi (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 25 of 70

(part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 26 of 70

"Round Dialogue (DIalogo Tondo), Claudia Losi, 2010 This conceptual furniture work was part of a larger breadth of working exploring the relationship between humans and nature (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 27 of 70

An elegant update to the Chia pet? (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 28 of 70

Nomadic Closet (designer unknown) Made utilizing Tyvek, a material more commonly used for FedEx envelopes (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 29 of 70

Installation view of "Women in Italian Design" Allison Fonder 30 of 70

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"Biknit" by Patricia Urquiola, 2012 A piece for Moroso by the prolific designer. Allison Fonder 32 of 70

"Self-made seat" by Matali Crasset, 2015 (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 33 of 70

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"Anomaly" Stool by Front, 2013 A soft seat for Moroso (part of the Women in Italian Design Exhibit) Allison Fonder 36 of 70

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Installation View, "Women in Italian Design" Allison Fonder 38 of 70

"Bamboo Pouffe" by Osanna Visconti di Modrone, 2014 Allison Fonder 39 of 70

Installation View, "Women in Italian Design" Allison Fonder 40 of 70

Cannibal Tool, "Neo Prehistory Exhibit" This exhibition, posed in moody darkness, presented a number of fascinating human innovations and perversities throughout the span of history. Allison Fonder 41 of 70

Propeller, "Neo-Prehistory" Exhibit A propeller of enormous proportions within the exhibition space. 42 of 70

Wingsuit, "Neo-Prehistory" Exhibit 43 of 70

Bomb Casing, "Neo-Prehistory" Exhibit "Neo-Prehistory" didn't shy away from displaying objects within our design history both uplifting and disturbing. Allison Fonder 44 of 70

TAKEO PAPER SHOW This exhibition organized by Takeo Paper company entitled "Subtle" was a visually arresting exploration of the wondrous physical capabilities of paper. Allison Fonder 45 of 70

"Spring" by Junya Ishigami, TAKEO PAPER SHOW These works by Ishigami were made using a special gradated paper rolled together in a cylindrical scroll and shaved in the same way you might sharpen a pencil. Allison Fonder 46 of 70

"Control" by Ryuji Nakamura, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Nakamura wanted to see how the material of paper would be conveyed in it's most controlled, vulnerable state—the resulting object is an incredibly fragile structure with rings lined up and joined at individual points. Allison Fonder 48 of 70

"I HATE U / I LOVE U" by Yoshiaki Irobe, TAKEO PAPER SHOW In Irobe's project, paper was used to display an ambiguous message through manipulations in color and material. Allison Fonder 49 of 70

"I HATE U / I LOVE U" by Yoshiaki Irobe, TAKEO PAPER SHOW In Irobe's project, paper was used to display an ambiguous message through manipulations in color and material. Allison Fonder 50 of 70

"Drawings Tags and Labels" by Jinah Ham, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Illustrator Ham drew the likeness of receipts and labels that she collected while traveling as an alternative way of recording memories. Allison Fonder 51 of 70

"Looking Closely" by Guardare Da Vicino, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Some very beautiful (and very tiny) books. Allison Fonder 53 of 70

"Looking Closely" by Guardare Da Vicino, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Some very beautiful (and very tiny) books. Allison Fonder 54 of 70

An interesting packaging concept molded from paper. Allison Fonder 55 of 70

"Paper Reef" by FUUKOU, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Allison Fonder 56 of 70

"Paper Reef" by FUUKOU, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Allison Fonder 57 of 70

Colorful creation by FUUKOU, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Allison Fonder 58 of 70

Colorful creation by FUUKOU, TAKEO PAPER SHOW Allison Fonder 59 of 70

"Rooms: Novel Living Concepts" This exhibition brought to focus the importance of interior architecture in the world of design—for the show, 11 designers were asked to design a "room" which would serve as a primary living space for the present and future. Allison Fonder 60 of 70

"Rooms: Novel Living Concepts" The first wing of the exhibit gives descriptions and images of 50 architectural designs of Italian interiors from the 1920s to today. Allison Fonder 61 of 70

"Ursus" This installation, originally inspired by the habits of bears, is a split-level, all wooden structure that incorporates a sauna at the entrance. The aesthetics of the space reference both Scandinavia and mythology. Allison Fonder 62 of 70

"Ursus" by Duilio Forte, part of "Rooms: Novel Living Concepts" This installation, originally inspired by the habits of bears, is a split-level, all wooden structure that incorporates a sauna at the entrance. The aesthetics of the space reference both Scandinavia and mythology. Allison Fonder 63 of 70

"Resonances" by Andrea Anastasio, part of "Rooms: Novel Living Concepts" This mysterious space visually present the idea of polarities (internal vs. external, closed vs. open, isolation vs. inclusion, etc.) The room is separated by a transparent curtain, and features visually perplexing objects such as a chandelier that drops all the way to the floor. Allison Fonder 64 of 70

"D1" by Francesco Librizzi, part of "Room: Novel Living Concepts" A space formed essentially from a geometric cage, those within the space get a better grasp on the borders separating interior and exterior. The space is also meant to convey a sense of timelessness. Allison Fonder 67 of 70

"D1" by Francesco Librizzi, part of "Room: Novel Living Concepts" A space formed essentially from a geometric cage, those within the space get a better grasp on the borders separating interior and exterior. The installation is also meant to convey a sense of timelessness. Allison Fonder 68 of 70

"INTRO" by Fabio Novembre, part of "Room: Novel Living Concepts" A structure meant to feel womb-like, this installation explores humanity's fascination with egg shaped forms. In the interior, calming audio clips are played to induce a feeling of relaxation, safety and comfort. Allison Fonder 69 of 70

"My Prisons" by Alessandro Mendini, part of "Rooms: Novel Living Concepts" A geometrically perplexing isolation space designed by Mendini Allison Fonder 70 of 70

The 21st Annual Triennale di Milano housed a number of exciting exhibitions that explored the cultural dimensions of design rather than material experimentations, (a common theme of many other shows on view during Milan Design Week). Focused on topics of gender, humanity and subtlety, the Triennale delved into our human tendencies and philosophies through thoughtful displays of the material objects that surround us. The sprawling "Women in Italian Design" exhibit analyzed the role of gender in a male-dominated creative industry, while "Neo Prehistory," an epic display of objects both ancient and modern, guided viewers through a strange and fascinating look at humanity. Overall, the collection of shows managed to give the viewer an appreciation for the presence of design in society over thousands of years while also imparting a certain sense of wonder and inquisitiveness that lasted long after leaving.