AS a highlight of this year’s Shenzhen Design Week (SZDW), a themed pavilion displaying Italian designs is open to the public at the Design Society | Sea World Culture and Arts Center from Friday to May 4.
Themed “From micro to macro: Italian designers in South China,” the exhibition highlights the strong presence of Italian practitioners operating in different fields of design in South China, particularly in the Pearl River Delta region, where cultural exchange is the starting point to developing innovation and creativity.
The pavilion is designed by the Italian Design Association (IDA) based in Shenzhen and curated by the architecture and design department of Politecnico di Torino.
“The design of the pavilion is developed by members from IDA. It is inspired by the concept of ‘caravanserai’ and the convoys who moved along the ancient Silk Road and gathered around a circle as a place to share and exchange,” said Francesco Carota, one of the curators of the pavilion.
“I think the most important thing is really to work together. I think both China and Italy have a lot to offer to each other. So this is one of the best occasions for us to show our works,” said Maurizio Vrenna, another curator of the pavilion.
For the very first time, SZDW will feature a “guest of honor” country, with Italy being the guest of honor this year.
Han Wangxi, director of the office of the Organizing Committee of Shenzhen Design Week, said the exhibitions and activities during SZDW will not only enable Shenzhen designers and citizens to further understand the essence of Italian designs, but also open a new chapter for bilateral cooperation in fashion design and design education.
The organizer set up an “Italian Day” yesterday. Workshops and roundtable discussions were held, leading to in-depth interpretations of the avant-garde works at the pavilion.
In addition, April 28 will be NABA Day. A series of faculty and student projects from Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano (NABA) will be on display to offer a complete view of the design world.