MADE IN ITALY DAY AT VILLA FIRENZE WITH ADI AND SALONE DEL MOBILE – Italian Embassy in Washington

On the occasion of Made in Italy Day, Ambassador Mariangela Zappia hosted the “Italian Contemporary Design at Villa Firenze” event at Villa Firenze, an opportunity to celebrate Italian excellence in the world in connection with the Association’s museum for Industrial Design and with the Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Ambassador Mariangela Zappia recalled at the beginning that: “The National Day of Made in Italy testifies to our commitment to promoting manufacturing excellence and the cultural heritage of our country. Here in the United States, Made in Italy is an emblem of quality, innovation and tradition, woven in a unique and inimitable way into the fabric of our entrepreneurial and cultural landscape.”

The Ambassador’s opening speech was followed by greetings from Nicole Elkon, Undersecretary for professional and cultural exchanges of the DoS, and from the Vice President of the Industrial Design Association (ADI), Antonella Andriani.

The conversation saw the participation of Alessandro Melis, IDC Foundation Endowed Chair Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, Stefano Schiavon, President of Salviati Venezia 1859, and Franco Caimi, of the coordination of the ADI Companies Department. We talked about creativity and democracy, excellence and innovation, how design practices can provide new tools to understand the world and better articulate problems. All this just a few hours before the inauguration of the sixty-second edition of the Salone del Mobile Milano.

Salviati exhibits the “Ferai Codega” lamps at Villa Firenze, made of glass in Murano and designed by Alberto Lago. The lamps combine tradition, style and innovation: Lago has studied the ancient techniques of master glassmakers, but also experimented with his artisanal products , giving life to a fusion between modernity and history.

For the guests of the event, a tour of “Villa Firenze Contemporanea” followed, a cultural diplomacy project that brings together 50 works of art and design objects by the most important contemporary Italian artists and designers, including a work by Gaetano Pesce , remembered for his surreal creations and pioneering use of plastic materials.

Also present were the food sector with Franciacorta prosecco and the automotive sector with a vintage Lancia with the collaboration of 1000miglia.