La Triennale, Milan

While in Milan I always visit at least once La Triennale.

"Since 1933 it has been based in Milan, in the Palazzo dell'Arte, designed by Giovanni Muzio and built in eighteen months from the autumn of 1931 to the spring of 1933. Conceived by the architect as an extremely flexible container, this multifunctional structure was highly innovative at the time it was built." (...) "Born as a panorama of modern decorative and industrial arts, with the purpose of stimulating the relationship between industry, the manufacturing sectors and applied arts, the Triennial quickly revealed itself as a mirror of the artistic and architectural culture in Italy and one of the main centers of confrontation for emerging trends. (...) Today's activities are direct towards research and exhibitions about architecture, town planning, decorative and visual arts, design, handcraft, industrial production, fashion and audio-visual communication." (text from La Triennale website)
The Triennale Design Museum offers continuously exciting exhibitions and the Design Library with its historical archive and documentation center is a must to browse for any design enthusiast, presenting to the public a rich heritage of thousands of books, photographs, prints, sound recordings and films, available for consultation on the premises.

Please follow me:

From the bookstore at the bottom (note also the amazing 1930's mosaic on the floor) going up the sleek stairs to explore...

From a window a glimpse of display of contemporary design with Ron Arad's rocking chair, a sculpture made with steel rings.

Zaha Hadid sinuous form, a flow of different shapes on each side.

Fornasetti screen, 1945, edition of 6 representing a mirrored city.

The same screen on the other side depicts a corner of a dressing room. A chandelier by Jacopo Foggini on the background.

A feast for the eye, every single item is a design marvel.

 

The iconic table "Traccia" by Merit Oppenheim, 1939 now produced by Gavina (Simon by Design d'autore 1972) together with a gorgeous skirt and shirt by Gianfranco Ferre', laser cut and conceived flat, it takes shape only when worn.

Descending the stairs to visit the garden, adorned with several iconic contemporary sculptures and a pause at the cafe' for a cappuccino.

Here is an innovative and interesting idea called "Orto mobile" or mobile vegetable garden, in fact the various parts can be assembled in different shapes and they can serve as plant containers, sitting space, water collection or to store gardening tools. I thought it was a genial idea, especially useful on terraces and small patios.

Another beautiful day exploring modern design and only seven days to go before

"I Saloni 2010" in Milan.

Photography© by Albarosa Simonetti