Art and design. Design is art

More than just a simple exhibition, the MA*GA in Gallarate is organising a complete immersion into the vital core of Italian art and design. From 13 October 2024 to 2 March 2025, this temple of modern and contemporary art will be transformed into a stage where two exhibition itineraries will intertwine in a harmonious ballet, guided by the visionary flair of Parasite 2.0. A setup that will much more than a mere container, serving as an integral part of the experience, as connective tissue that binds the past, present and future of Italian design in a single and fascinating account.

“Art and design. Design is art” is a tribute to the original project by Philippe Daverio, a journey to explore the history of Italian design curated by Emma Zanella, Vittoria Broggini and Alessandro Castiglioni. This is no simple presentation of objects, but rather an examination of innovation, of experimentation, of the constant dialogue between design and the visual arts that has seen Italy become an international guiding light. Like the chapters of a book, five themed sections will lead visitors through the transformation of Italian design over the second half of the twentieth century, revealing the indissoluble bond between art, design and contemporary “artistic output”. Leave all firmly set and sterile definitions at the door. Design is not an exact science; rather it is an explosion of colour, a labyrinth of mirrors that reflect the countless facets of our culture. It is a thrilling enigma, a rebus that challenges us to solve it, to embrace its intrinsic ambiguity.

Daverio defined it as ambiguous, and he was right. Design is a chameleon that adapts and transforms, answering questions that range from economy to sociology, from aesthetics to the personal mark of the author. It is an orchestra in which every single instrument plays a different melody, yet together, they create a harmonious symphony. It is a constant dialogue between form and function, between beauty and utility, between the individual and society. It is a bridge that joins the world of ideas to concrete reality, transforming dreams into tangible objects. An endless journey to explore new possibilities. An invitation to examine the world with different eyes, to see the beauty that can be found in everyday objects. A tribute to creativity, to human inventiveness, to the imagination. “Recognising the need is the primary condition for design.” Charles Eames

Opening image: Sgabello Mod.220 Mezzadro - Zanotta SpA – Italy