At Milan Design Week, the art and design platform Playinghouse made waves with its exhibition titled téte-a-téte, strategically positioned across two distinct venues. This initiative emphasized the importance of site-responsive design, showcasing how contemporary works can harmonize with their surroundings.
Curatorial Vision and Diverse Talent
Curated by Margherita Dosi Delfini, assistant curator at the Design Museum, the exhibition featured an eclectic mix of artworks and furnishings from a range of independent creators. The selection was meticulously arranged to highlight the unique material and formal qualities of each location, reinforcing the idea that design can be both playful and functional.
Villa Pestarini: A Timeless Setting
At the historic Villa Pestarini, a project by seminal Italian architect Franco Albini, the exhibition showcased pieces crafted from materials like eggshell, glass, and reflective metals. These works complemented the villa’s Rationalist architecture, which dates back to 1939. Among the standout pieces was Anna Dawson‘s Calle Sconce, a fused-glass light fixture that elegantly diffused light, alongside her Sun Pendant, which featured a unique hexagonal design.
Industrial Aesthetic in Certosa District
The second venue, located in the Certosa District, presented a starkly different aesthetic, reflecting the industrial history of the space. Here, semi-functional and non-functional sculptures made from rubber, plastics, and metals were on display. Notable works included Atelier Fomenta‘s monumental Rubber Tables and Maha Alavi‘s architectonic Frooot Bowl. The exhibition also featured Francesco Rosati‘s Table For a Married Couple, which cleverly incorporated two “téte-a-téte” chairs into its design.
Emphasizing Functionality and Playfulness
Overall, Playinghouse’s exhibition at Milan Design Week successfully demonstrated how contemporary design can respond to its environment while maintaining a sense of playfulness. The juxtaposition of the villa’s refined elegance with the raw industrial character of the Certosa District showcased the versatility of modern design and its potential to engage with history and context.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
