The history of Italian design is the story of the best cultural and creative energies of our nation. Italian creativity has, in fact, established itself abroad, especially in design and fashion. Unlike fashion, however, design does not live through spectacle or excess. Its protagonists are known more by its aficionados and experts than by the general public. Elegance, sobriety and, often, discretion are its hallmarks.

Over the course of a few decades, Cesare Colombo has been able to portray the important phases of the creative work of designers and the industrial activity in this sector in Italy, depicting its protagonists. In his archive are the gestures and faces of the Italian designers and foreign artists who achieved their full professional success in Italy. Colombo went to the factories to document their activity and to report on the Salone del Mobile (furniture fairs), from the time that they were animated by a pioneering spirit to when they became huge international events in the new Fiera Milano venue. Alessandro Luigi Perna

Until March 27
Nel Paese del design
Memorandum–Festival of Historic Photography
Museo regionale di scienze naturali
Via Giolitti 36 – Torino