The Soft House.
11/01/2018
“The Soft House” explored the simultaneously traditional and very timely world of textile design, in an itinerary through past and present, crafts and contemporary production. Curated by Beppe Finessi.
A seemingly traditional but actually very timely theme: textile design. This was the fulcrum of “The Soft House”, an exhibition curated by Beppe Finessi, from 26 March to 5 May 2014 during Milano Design Week 2014.
“In an era of continual technological innovation and increasing virtuality, the growing interest in textiles, objects made of braided and woven yarns and mainly natural materials, might be seen as surprising, almost belonging to a bygone era,” said Finessi. “However, the renewed focus on research and experimentation in this field has met with avid interest on the part of the public and those working in this sector. Recently many design objects, created by industrial production or gathered in small collections, have made textiles an essential factor. Tapestries, carpets and upholstered furnishings of various kinds share an unexpected creative vitality and a warmth, softness and tactile quality that only textiles can offer.”
The exhibition traced a link between past and present, suggesting a relationship between modern and contemporary textile production and the methods and approaches of crafts. A dialogue across time and disciplines, thanks to the inclusion of great design masters like Vico Magistretti, Alessandro Mendini, Bruno Munari and Ettore Sottsass; new protagonists of the international scene like Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Scholten & Baijings, Matali Crasset, Martí Guixé and Luca Nichetto; and artists who work on the narrative dimension of the thread, like Stefano Arienti, Letizia Cariello, Claudia Losi, Rosemarie Trockel, Pae White.
“La Casa Morbida” was installed along the entire route through the exhibits of Museo Poldi Pezzoli, often through innovative solutions and unexpected juxtapositions, underscoring the dialogue between the objects of the museum and the spaces of the house.
“La Casa Morbida”, the exhibition curated by “INVENTARIO”, was coordinated and sponsored by Foscarini. This choice reflects the company’s versatile approach: to create interaction amongst different art forms – design, photography, painting, sculpture – to offer viewers new and unusual experiences.
