On June 27th, the Seishou team went on a visit to the ADI Design Museum. Designer Yuko Matsuzaki even got to speak with the President of the museum, Luciano Galimberti.
President Galimberti was elected to be the President of the association and museum in 2014. He is a large contributor to new ways of design thinking and facing challenges within the contemporary society of the design world.
An interview was conducted to learn of the ADI Design Museum itself, winners of the Compasso d'Oro award, the new exhibitions within the museum, and all the innovations on display.
Below you can read the questions, sorted by sections, we asked President Galimberti and the information he provided as a response.
The ADI Design Museum
1. Let us take a look at the app that goes along with the ADI Design Museum. Do you have any dreams for the future of the app that you see making the app go further or changing in certain ways?
The ADI Design Museum takes pride in being a "ticketless" museum, meaning that the museum has no physical ticket office but you still need to purchase your ticket digitally.
It has goals for the future of the app, but the main goal is to create continuous new content that visitors can manage through the app, such as audio tours. This is a way of adapting to the digital era and using more technology.
2. Do you have any plans to create more of a digital aspect of the museum where people who are not in Italy can see the exhibitions and have an online experience?
The digital aspect of the museum and app allows people not in Milan or Italy to explore some of the museum. While this is not the same as experiencing the displays in person, the app would encourage these users to visit the museum physically.
The Compasso d'Oro Award
3. Let us talk about the Compasso d'Oro award. Can you mention some of the most influential jurors that were involved in last year's award?
The award typically has an international jury, offering a wide range of opinions and thoughts on winners of the award. The jury changes each year to get judges in different fields and locations involved. There is not only designers but also philosophers, journalists, and more.
This past year, jurors included Mario Cucinella, Mirko Zardini, Cloe Piccoli, Annachiara Sacchi, and Stefano Micelli. Some of the biggest names of the Italian design world get involved in choosing the award winners.
4. There was a new theme of sustainability for the award. Is there a specific reason as to why now you are deciding to do a theme for the exhibition?
The Compasso d'Oro also may be guided by a theme. The specific theme it just had was sustainability and becoming more responsible for one's actions. The goal of this theme was to make the designers be active on sustainability during a time that it is crucial.
5. Do the projects that win the Compasso d'Oro need to be in production or can a theoretical design be awarded?
Theory and researches can be recipients of the awards.
Made in Italy
6. As Made in Italy has evolved throughout history, do you think there have been moments where it was superior to other moments? What would be a great moment in Made in Italy's history?
The next moment.
7. Where do you see Made in Italy in the future and are there trends that you see emerging that you hope to see more of in the future?
The 2022 edition of the Compasso d'Oro was the first to have a proper theme. It was focussed on sustainability, so the aim of this was to try to see where design is going in regards to sustainability.
8. Do you attribute some of the success of Made in Italy's worldwide reputation to the ADI Design Museum and La Rinascente's creation of the award?
Some of the success of the brand Made in Italy may be attributed to the ADI Design Museum, La Rinascente, and the Compasso d'Oro award. However, it is the relationship between many things that has built up the credit and respect Made in Italy has achieved.
Winners Of The Compasso d'Oro And Other Awards
9. We will now dive into some specific award recipients. Do you agree with Giorgetto Giugiaro's 1999 award for car designer of the century or do you think someone else should have received that award?
Furthermore, are there any of Giorgetto Giugiaro's current designs that seem worthy of an award in the future?
In regards to Giorgetto Giugiaro's 1999 award for car designer of the century, President Galimberti agrees with this award recipient. He notes how Giorgetto Giugiaro is one of the best due to being a freelance worker who did not work inside of a car company.
It would for sure be possible to have some of his new projects selected for the Compasso d'Oro award in the future.
10. The current tram designs used by ATM were awarded in 2001, do you think that these designs have aged well with time? Do you think the design is still worthy of praise?
The tram has aged well and is becoming more and more used as a mode of transportation nowadays. Since it is getting more frequently used, it will probably return to its origin.
11. In 2018, Apple was awarded a Compasso d'Oro Award of International Type. Is there any reason that you can think of specifically that the award was given to Apple?
This award was given to Apple due to connections. Not only did Apple connect objects, but Apple also created relationships between people, which is something very important for Italian design.
12. Do you agree with the judges that the Brembo brakes could be in a modern art museum unrelated to their superior functionality?
Yes. The importance of the Brembo brakes is not only their functionality of being a tool for a car but also something that adds extra to the car. It is not just mechanical, it is aesthetically pleasing. Brands like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo underline especially this part of the product.
13. Do you, President Galimberti, own any of the projects or items that have received the Compasso d'Oro award? Do you have any in your home?
Yes, of course I own some of them. The pieces I own are mainly furniture and lights related.
Fashion Within The ADI Design Museum
14. Now we will discuss fashion and the role it plays in the exhibitions of the ADI Design Museum. What part does fashion play in the exhibits and would you say it is a large part?
While there is a small quantity of fashion projects within the museum, the ones that are showcased are of the highest quality of the fashion industry. The museum and award are trying to discover a strong connection between the design world and the fashion world. There is already a strong connection, and the theme of sustainability further relates the two industries.
15. Are there any young fashion designers that you know of or have heard of that you can see becoming the next big name within the fashion industry? For example, someone like Armani, Prada, or Gucci.
One strong way in which the ADI Design Museum already connects to the fashion industry and designers is by being a hub during the Camera della Moda during the fashion week in September. A lot of fashion projects and designers will be shown here.
One fashion designer President Galimberti looks forward to seeing is Tiziano Guardini, who is a new fashion designer that creates very poetic and personal pieces.
16. Are there any fashion award winners in the ADI Design Museum right now that are the most important? Could you point to one and say that it is very important to fashion now or fashion in the past?
Yes, the project from Nanni Strada. The yellow and blue dress she designed were the starting point for a lot of fashion projects. Her seamless fabric dresses are part of the Skin series and changed the fashion industry.
This personal interview with President Galimberti offered great insights to the ADI Design Museum and the Compasso d'Oro award. It further brought us more information on the fashion industry today and influential pieces to the industry.
We thank the ADI Design Museum for hosting the Seishou team and President Galimberti with Martina Bonetti for taking the time to meet with us and answer our questions.
You can read more about the exhibitions at ADI Design Museum by reading our article: ADI Design Museum's newest exhibition: the spoon and the city.