Considerable interest is being aroused in Melbourne by the exhibition 'Molto Bello: Icons of modern Italian design' on display at the Heide Museum of Modern Art until 23 March and presented by Webuild Australia in collaboration with the Italian Australian Foundation.
The exhibition highlights some of the most significant achievements in the history of Italian design this century, from the first Milan Triennale in the 1930s to the Memphis movement of the 1980s," said Italian Consul General in Melbourne, Chiara Mauri, at the opening of the exhibition. "It is the story of a fusion of Italy's rich craftsmanship tradition, technological and industrial advances, and a unique capacity for creativity, experimentation and innovation, which has led Italian design to be admired worldwide," she added. Opportunities such as those provided by the exhibition,' he added, 'underline our commitment to innovation and culture. They show how design is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a vehicle for positive change, capable of shaping a future in which everyone can enjoy a better quality of life'.
The theme is 'Inequalities: design for a better life'. An invitation to reflect on how design can bridge gaps in society and help create a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable world'. Organised under the auspices of the Italian Cultural Institute of Melbourne, the exhibition is curated by Flavia Marcello, Professor of Design and Architecture at the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, and features academics, designers and architects.
Sourced from public and private collections across Australia, the objects on display include iconic chairs, lamps, household items, the famous Olivetti Valentine typewriter and the legendary Vespa scooter. A journey that celebrates key players and their contribution to global culture; from the elegant and dynamic early work of architect-designers such as Gio Ponti and Carlo Mollino, to the ingenious and refined creations of Gae Aulenti, Joe Colombo and the Castiglioni brothers, to the Radical Design movement and Memphis Milano, with leading figures such as Ettore Sottsass, Nanda Vigo, Gaetano Pesce, and many others.
In his speech, the Executive Director of Webuild Australia and Oceania, Marco Assorati, noted how 'the influence of Italian design is visible all around us, from the lights we use, to the chairs we sit on, to the cars we drive and more. It teaches us,' he explained, 'that what is useful can also be beautiful, and this is the essence of Italian design.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
