"Materia Natura" is the theme of Fuorisalone 2024

Reflections on nature have always been at the center of human culture, which, in order to interpret it, has transformed it into an "other" entity, as always happens with matter, which has always been manipulated, studied, and experimented with. However, it is on the plane of their relationship with humans that these two concepts meet and overlap, manifesting in harmony with each other. The word "nature," present within the theme, is also a strong call to the most urgent and current issues of our present and emphasizes the importance of promoting projects oriented towards increasingly sustainable and environmentally respectful solutions. At the same time, the word "matter" opens and fuels a natural dialogue with design, creative thinking, planning, and the inclination to imagine infinite and possible transformations. The theme Materia Natura evolves concepts previously addressed and becomes an extension of the themes of previous editions of Fuorisalone: Forms of Living, Between Space and Time and Future Laboratory, outlining a path that supports the values of a conscious design culture. Materia Natura further amplifies and deepens this vision, highlighting sustainability as a guiding principle and fundamental virtue in the creative and design process. The theme of Fuorisalone 2024 will therefore be an important opportunity to investigate and discover the multiple dimensions in which nature can manifest itself as a source of inspiration, material for design, and guidance for a sustainable future.

Materia Natura was the protagonist of a shared moment in our Brera Design Apartment with some authors and protagonists from the world of art, design, and contemporary culture. A discussion that returned exceptional viewpoints on the theme, which will be presented to the public at the official press conference of Fuorisalone scheduled for February 28, 2024. Leading the dialogue around the theme was Nicola Ricciardi - creative director of Miart - who, along with Paolo Casati and the editorial team of Fuorisalone.it, collected thoughts, stories, and anecdotes from Andrea Cassi and Michele Versaci - architects and designers -, Giorgio Ferrero - creative director of MYBOSSWAS -, Annalisa Rosso - editorial director of Salone del Mobile.Milano and co-founder of the studio Mr.Lawrence -, Federica Sala - independent curator and editorial director of The Good Life Italia -, Italo Rota - architect and designer -, Andrea Staid - anthropologist, author, and lecturer at NABA -, and Andrea Vigna - chef. To delve deeper into the 2024 theme, Fuorisalone produced a small publication, stemming from a moment organized to build a collective and shared dialogue on Materia Natura that also involved some of the thinkers who most observe, watch, and live this cultural event in April.

Materia Natura evolves and becomes with Materia Natura: Conversations with Portanuova also an immersive site-specific installation in the heart of Gae Aulenti, within the Portanuova area. From April 14 to 21, it will be possible to experience directly with the POV work and engage in dialogue with the theme, responding to four questions designed for the Fuorisalone audience, continuing a path of comparison and in-depth analysis started with the conversations in the Brera Design Apartment proposed in a limited edition booklet. The installation Materia Natura: Conversations with Materia Natura is always signed by architects Andrea Cassi and Michele Versaci with Giorgio Ferrero. The five moving videos within the space provide an aesthetic investigation into the fragile relationship between humans and the environment, portraying different elements that represent the impact of humans by bearing the signs of actions through which natural material is transformed into a design object.

The official guide to Milan Design Week can be found on the Fuorisalone.it website.