The Fuorisalone Award is a prestigious platform that recognises and promotes exceptional installations, content, projects, and activities featured during Milan Design Week. With a keen focus on innovation, creativity, and relevance to the global design community, the award highlights the most memorable and impactful contributions to the event. From awe-inspiring installations that push the boundaries of art and design to thought-provoking projects and activities that spark dialogue and inspiration, the Fuorisalone Award celebrates excellence across diverse facets of design.
The award honours outstanding achievements by showcasing the best of Milan Design Week and fosters collaboration, creativity, and exchange within the international design landscape. Through its discerning selection process and robust promotion, the Fuorisalone Award serves as a beacon of excellence, driving forward the evolution and advancement of design on a global scale. Behold, among the luminaries of design, stand some of the award-winning works, each a testament to boundless creativity and visionary brilliance.
Dotdotdot
Imagine a powerful mirror, not made of glass but of information. This mirror, crafted by Dotdotdot for their 20th anniversary, reflects our faces and essence. It’s an AI, a vast and intricate data web constantly learning and shaping a world in its image. But here’s the twist: the mirror is built with the pieces we give it, the stories we tell, the bugs and biases hidden within. What if the reflection shows a distorted version, amplifying our flaws and magnifying our divisions? “Data Bugs — AI is a mirror” invites us to step into this story to explore the wonders and worries of this powerful mirror. It’s a chance to ask ourselves: whose image are we genuinely creating?
Elica
In the renowned Japanese studio, we design a captivating installation. Nestled in the courtyard of Palazzo Litta, this site-specific artwork, titled “Straordinaria,” draws inspiration from the ethereal lightness of clouds, creating a mesmerizing interplay of hues reminiscent of air and warmth. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the installation offers an immersive sensory experience, inviting viewers to engage intimately with the artwork. Elica’s expertise shines through in the skilful use of materials, modular shapes, and dynamic elements, celebrating its legacy of innovation and dedication to culinary excellence.
Porsche
In a stunning return to Milan Design Week, Porsche unveils “The Pattern of Dreams.” This marks the fifth chapter in their travelling art initiative, “The Art of Dreams,” which began its journey in Paris in 2021. Held within the illustrious walls of Palazzo Clerici, the exhibit explores the captivating interplay of pattern, rhythm, and repetition. Imagine a lightweight construction of metal cells woven with a black and white net that stretches and billows like a cloud. The effect is akin to a flock of starlings startled into flight, their wings a flurry against the stark backdrop.
Hermès
Hermès invites you to blend tradition with innovation at this year’s showcase. Their creations transcend time, seemingly intertwining past and present, embodying ageless elegance. Inspired by the Maison’s rich heritage, raw materials like bricks, stones, and wood form a captivating composition reminiscent of a timeless tunic. The iconic jockey’s jacket inspires vibrant patterns adorning leather goods and textiles, echoing the brand’s cultural legacy. Among the highlights is the Diapason d’Hermès armchair, boasting elegant yet radical lines.
Lasvit
Renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship in hand-made glass, Lasvit invites visitors on a mesmerizing journey of artistic expression; against the backdrop of this historic venue, a monumental outdoor installation emerges, a testament to Lasvit’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of artisanal glassmaking. With each piece meticulously crafted, the installation embodies Lasvit’s innovative spirit and unwavering dedication to merging art, architecture, and design into a seamless masterpiece. Prepare to be captivated as Lasvit transports you into a world where imagination knows no bounds and the beauty of glass takes centre stage. The design community selected this work as the most memorable event of this edition.
Milano State Archives Palazzo del Senato
In a remarkable collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture at the Milano State Archives Palazzo del Senato, Kohler unveils Terminal 02, a breathtaking immersive installation paired with an innovative smart toilet. This grand endeavour, born from the creative synergy between Kohler and artist-designer Samuel Ross and his studio SR_A, pushes the boundaries of engineering and expression to new heights. Terminal 02 is a testament to the harmonious fusion of art and technology, inviting visitors to embark on a sensory journey.
Preciosa
Embracing the rich legacy of Bohemian crystal, Preciosa Lighting pays homage to tradition while embracing modern craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. As a trailblazer in innovative and ornate lighting solutions, Preciosa unveils the mesmerizing Crystal Beat II installation. This captivating masterpiece beckons visitors to embark on a journey of rhythmic enchantment and sparkling illumination. Crafted under the visionary direction of Michael Vasku and Andreas Klug, creative directors of Preciosa Lighting, this extraordinary work transports audiences into a realm where music and light intertwine, weaving an immersive tapestry of sensory delight.
Jain Syriac Babu is a Kerala-born, Italy-based theatre artist and art enthusiast.
