The trip to China until Sunday 10 November as a partner of the West Bund fair, considered the most important in the whole of Asia in the sector
The scene, a red and round room, brings together sixty-five symbolic pieces of Italian design. Thirty-six performers jump lightly onto the table Clay of Desalto, embrace the armchair On 5_6 by Gaetano Pesce (B&B), they clap their hands on the basket Almeria (Pinetti) and the cart Misfit (Scavolini), lie down on the bed Icon by Flou, create architecture that recalls the building that hosts them, The Orbit, a jewel designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the most modern Shanghai overlooking the Huangpu River. Eight minutes of Chinese grace combined with the beauty of furniture, lamps and chairs of the best made in Italy. Even with this poetic installation, signed by Matilde Cassani, and repeated several times in these days of «Art Week», the Salone del Mobile makes its strategic line in China clear: to affirm its presence in a market that is indeed in difficulty , but in which Italy remains the leading exporter of furniture; restore relationships broken during the pandemic; free itself from the purely commercial guise, linked to luxury, to become something else: a reliable and solid cultural partner.
In Shanghai these are the days of West Bund Art & Design (8-10 November, inauguration on 7), for many the most important contemporary art and design fair in Asia, with over one hundred and twenty galleries from all over the world spread over five locations: an old hangar of the first civil airport of city, a former cement factory, other converted buildings that they host names such as Galleria Continua, Gagosian, Grimm. Temporary exhibitions and meetings, great partners including, this year for the first time, the Salone del Mobile. «Our presence in Shanghai – explains the president of the Show, Maria Porro – represents a happy novelty. Many people participated in the inaugural evening of the performanceand The Orbit of the Orbit expressing enthusiasm for a project that brings art and design into dialogue, an ancient and often underestimated connection. Our long-term commitment in China consists of this, creating events capable of gathering and involving new design communities around our values: quality, research, innovation.” Adds Matteo Zoppas, president of the Ice Agency: «Italian furniture represents a point of reference for high-end Chinese consumers. Our collaboration with the Salone del Mobile is a key initiative.” Especially in light of the fact that, According to Zoppas, exports of the wood furniture sector to China decreased by 18.8 percent between 2022 and 2023, even if glimmers of optimism remain.
Maintaining the position, solidifying the lead over the competition: the positive prospects are there, given that last April at the Rho fair the most numerous foreign visitors were the Chineseand that in the first seven months of 2024 Italian exports to China recorded a value of 286.9 million euros. «The People’s Republic remains a great opportunity», continues Porro. Especially after the closure last year of the Silk Road, a trade agreement signed in 2019 by the Conte government. And it is one of the reasons why the Salone del Mobile returns to Shanghai (where a successful spin-off of the mother event was held from 2016 to 2019) with momentum, confidence and a series of ideas. «We want to be there. Even with this new format.”
Diplomacy (just as the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, is on a state visit to China and will see Xi Jinping on 8 November) and dialogue. Explains Matilde Cassani, creator of The orbit of the orbit: «Spectators and performers, fusing with the spaces defined by the design, they transform the exhibition into a public square. THE The orbit of the orbit it’s a living painting in which actors, acrobats and spectators become the protagonists of a collective narrative.” And then there are the talks.
Meetings, insights, comparisons. On Sunday, again in Shanghai, the Salon organizes When design meets art. A conversation between Italy and China: on stage, among others, the Chinese designer Wu Bin, known for his Modern Orientalismand Feng Cao, founder of 20C Gallery, collector and researcher. On 7 November, the Consul in Shanghai Tiziana D’Angelo was also there to present the Salone’s Chinese adventure with Maria Porro (“I’m happy with this return because it is a testimony to the power of design in our lives”), Matteo Zoppas, the architect Aldo Cibic, Paola Antonelli, senior curator for architecture and design at the Moma in New York.
Connections and alliances on the other side of the world. And from Monday 11 November in Hong Kong, at the Arts Pavilion in West Kowloon, it is on display the permanent collection of the Satellite Salon, the one for the under 35s: more than one hundred design pieces among those selected by Marva Griffin in 25 years of promoting young talents.
November 7, 2024 (modified November 7, 2024 | 9.13pm)
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Interview: Exploring the Intersection of Art and Design at West Bund Fair
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we are joined by Matilde Cassani, the innovative curator behind the captivating installation “The Orbit of the Orbit.” Matilde, thank you for being here to discuss your work and its significance within the context of this year’s West Bund Art & Design Fair in Shanghai.
Matilde Cassani: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss the exciting developments in the art and design scene.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The West Bund Fair is often hailed as the most paramount contemporary art and design exhibition in Asia. Can you tell us about your installation “The Orbit of the Orbit” and how it fits into the fair?
Cassani: Certainly! “The Orbit of the Orbit” is not just an exhibition but an experience that transforms the space into a dynamic public square. This installation features performers interacting with iconic pieces of Italian design—like the armchair by Gaetano Pesce and the table by Desalto—blending performance art with the elegance of furniture design. It creates a living painting where spectators become part of the narrative, celebrating the rich connection between art and design.
Editor: That sounds fascinating! The fair this year also marks a strong commitment from the Salone del Mobile to re-establish its presence in China post-pandemic. How do you think this dialogue between art and design can help strengthen cultural ties?
Cassani: The dialogue is essential. By incorporating art into design, we are not just showcasing luxury items; we are cultivating an appreciation for craftsmanship and innovation. This approach positions Italian design as a reliable cultural partner rather than solely a commercial entity. It invites the audience to engage with the narrative behind the pieces, fostering a greater understanding and connection.
Editor: Speaking of connections, this year’s fair also brings attention to the challenges in the export of Italian furniture to China, where statistics show a significant decline. How do you view this landscape for Italian design in such a competitive market?
Cassani: It’s true that the wood furniture sector faced an 18.8 percent drop in exports to China. However, we must recognize that challenges can offer fresh opportunities. The presence of more than 120 galleries at the West Bund Fair, including prestigious names like Gagosian and Grimm, reflects a growing interest in quality, research, and innovation—values that Italian design embodies. We’re not just aiming to maintain our leadership; we want to solidify our position through active engagement and collaboration.
Editor: That’s an optimistic perspective. With the recent meeting between Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and Xi Jinping coinciding with the fair, do you think diplomatic efforts can enhance cultural exchanges in the design world?
Cassani: Absolutely. High-level diplomatic engagements can pave the way for cultural collaborations, which are crucial in today’s global marketplace. They create pathways for dialogue and shared projects that can resonate with audiences on both sides. The synergy between politics and culture has never been more vital, especially as we navigate post-pandemic recovery.
Editor: what do you hope attendees take away from your installation and the fair as a whole?
Cassani: I hope they walk away inspired by the beauty of integration—how art and design can coexist and enrich one another. This fair is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and innovative thinking. I want people to feel like they are part of this evolving narrative and to foster a sense of community within design—a space where every contribution matters.
Editor: Matilde, thank you so much for your insights. It’s clear that the West Bund Art & Design Fair is set to play a pivotal role in reviving and reestablishing connections in the design world. We look forward to seeing how your installation and the fair will resonate with audiences in Shanghai.
Cassani: Thank you! I’m excited to see it all unfold and to engage with the wonderful community of artists and designers here.