Salone del Mobile returns to China: two new events in Shanghai and Hong Kong

Salone del Mobile.Milano celebrates Made in Italy and 25 years of SaloneSatellite with new exhibition formats blending art and design.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China. Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China. Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China. Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China. Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China. Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

With innovative exhibition formats, Salone del Mobile is once again betting on China: in Shanghai, with West Bund Art & Design, to promote Italian design, and in Hong Kong to celebrate 25 years of SaloneSatellite. Despite the challenges of the real estate market, in 2023, Italy confirmed itself as the leading furniture exporter to China, with a value of 479.01 million euros. This strong bond was further reinforced during the 2024 edition of Salone del Mobile in Milan, where China ranked first in visitor attendance.

In Shanghai, from November 8 to 10, Salone del Mobile will partner for the first time with West Bund Art & Design, one of the most prestigious art fairs in Asia. Taking center stage will be “The Orbit’s Orbit,” a performative installation dedicated to Italian design by artist Matilde Cassani. Set within The Orbit, an architectural space designed by Heatherwick Studio, the installation will engage with over fifty icons of Made in Italy, featured in a radial city brought to life by visitor interactions, site-specific performances, and a series of talks on design.

The second stop will be Hong Kong, from November 11 to 21, with the “SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection 1998-2024 Exhibition.” Promoted by IDFFHK – International Design Furniture Hong Kong and Designworks Foundation, this exhibition will be held at the Arts Pavilion in the heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District. It will showcase a selection of over one hundred projects from the Permanent Collection of SaloneSatellite, a tribute to emerging talents who have since gained global recognition, thanks to the under-35 hub of Salone del Mobile.Milano – founded and curated by Marva Griffin Wilshire.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China.

Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China.

Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China.

Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China.

Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.

The Orbit's Orbit, Matilde Cassani, The Orbit, Shanghai, China.

Image courtesy of Matilde Cassani Studio/Salone del Mobile.