China is a key strategic market for the Italian furniture industry, ranking as the eighth-largest export destination for Italian wooden furniture, providing significant opportunities for the “Made in Italy” brand. According to industry data, the total value of Italian furniture exports to China reached €479.01 million.
Recently, the Salone del Mobile announced two important exhibitions scheduled for November in Shanghai and Hong Kong, China.
Shanghai: Matilde Cassani Installation Art at the West Bund Art & Design Fair
From November 8 to 10, the Salone del Mobile will collaborate with the West Bund Art & Design Fair in Shanghai to showcase an installation titled “The Orbit’s Orbit” at The Orbit, a landmark building at the West Bund Art Center. Created by artist Matilde Cassani, the installation merges design, art, and culture, inviting visitors to interact with it, creating an immersive experience that is rich in visual and emotional impact. The exhibition is also supported by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA).
Matilde Cassani’s work, developed by her studio, sits at the intersection of architecture, installation, and event design. The installation features a concentric spiral, showcasing iconic products from 35 Italian furniture brands that represent the excellence of Italian design. The dynamic space becomes animated through the movement of performers and participants, creating an organic and evolving architectural form, reminiscent of a city during a festival.
*Note: The 35 Italian furniture brands contributing products to the exhibition include Antonio Lupi, Artemide, Barovier&Toso, B&B Italia, Baxter, Caccaro, Davide Groppi, Desalto, Edra, Ethimo, Flexform, Flos, Flou, Frigerio, Gessi, Glas Italia, Living Divani, Martinelli Luce, Mattiazzi, Meridiani, Molteni&C, Nardi, Pinetti, Poliform, Porada, Porro, Riva 1920, Rugiano, Saba, Scavolini, Tacchini Italia, Technogym, Turri, Villari, and Visionnaire.
Performance installation by artist Matilde Cassani.
The exhibition will be open to visitors from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. On the opening day (November 8), Maria Porro, Chair of the Salone del Mobile, will attend and deliver a speech. On November 9, the AD China 100Young Talks and Awards Ceremony will provide a multifaceted perspective on the landscape of young Chinese design. Guests will include Maria Porro and Marva Griffin Wilshire, curator and founder of SaloneSatellite. The highlight of November 10 will be “When Design Meets Art: A Conversation between Italy and China,” curated by Annalisa Rosso, editorial director and cultural activities consultant of the Salone del Mobile. This dialogue will explore the intersection of art and design, sparking creativity and innovation. Chinese designer Wu Bin and Italian designer Aldo Cibic will join Matilde Cassani on stage to exchange ideas.
Maria Porro, Chair of the Salone del Mobile, stated, “This is the second time the Salone del Mobile is coming to China. The high-end market here remains very active, making it an attractive destination for ‘Made in Italy.’ As a trade fair, another important goal we set for ourselves is to support participating companies in seizing new opportunities for growth, development, and distribution in these regions. At the same time, we also aim to strengthen our leadership in ideas and vision.”
The Orbit, the exhibition venue located at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai.
Augusto di Giacinto, Director of the Shanghai Office of the Italian Trade Agency, remarked, “Despite new challenges in the Chinese interior design industry, Italy remained a leading exporter to China’s furniture sector in 2023. This clearly demonstrates the Chinese public’s appreciation for Italian design and recognition of it as true global excellence. For this reason, the Salone del Mobile, supported by the Italian Trade Agency, will host this installation during the West Bund Art & Design Fair in Shanghai, a project that includes lectures and performances.”
Hong Kong: SaloneSatellite 25th Anniversary Exhibition at West Kowloon Cultural District
From November 11 to 21, after the conclusion of the 25th-anniversary celebration of SaloneSatellite, part of the permanent collection will be showcased in Hong Kong at the SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection 1998-2024 Exhibition. The exhibition will be held at the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong.
SaloneSatellite, also known as the “Milan Satellite Show,” was established in 1998 as part of the Salone del Mobile. It aims to support emerging designers under the age of 35, helping them connect with the industry.
West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong
This exhibition is supported by IDFFHK (International Design Furniture Fair Hong Kong) and the Designworks Foundation. It will prominently feature 100 pieces from the collection of over 360 works housed at Polo Formativo del Legno Arredo’s Artwood Academy, a wood furniture center. The exhibition is curated by Marva Griffin Wilshire, the founder and curator of SaloneSatellite, along with her team, and architects Ricardo Bello Dias and Hariadna Pinate from Studio Bello Dias.
Exhibits from the SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection 1998-2024
Marva Griffin Wilshire remarked, “Bringing part of the SaloneSatellite permanent collection to Hong Kong is not only an opportunity to raise awareness of the work of many talented young designers but also a celebration of the significance of global creativity and design innovation. It is a chance for cultural exchange, highlighting SaloneSatellite’s essential role in elevating and supporting emerging international design leaders, and serves as the perfect conclusion to our 25th-anniversary celebration.”
| Sources: Salone del Mobile Official Website, Internimagazine.com, Archiscene.net, Interiordaily.com
| Image Credit: Salone del Mobile Official Website
| Editor: Liu Jun
