On the occasion of this Design Week, VENINI inaugurates its new flagship store in via Durini 27, in the heart of Milan’s design district. The new space, developed on over 500 square meters and articulated on three levels, represents a point of synthesis between Murano tradition and contemporary design language, between glass art and light design, and becomes an immersive platform dedicated to the culture of design. The architecture of the store interprets the brand’s identity through soft lines and refined materials that recall the Venetian tradition: seminato, travertine in champagne tones, ebony finishes and Rubelli fabrics contribute to create a warm and elegant environment, traversed by the iconic VENINI red, an identity sign. The central element of the space is the vertical installation of Carlo Scarpa’s Poliedri, which visually and symbolically connects the different levels, transforming glass into an architectural device of light, a trademark of this brand.
The exhibition itinerary designed for Design Week is spread over three floors. The ground floor, open to the city with large windows overlooking San Babila and Corso Europa, hosts Art Light collections and light installations that emphasize the design and scenographic dimension of glass. The mezzanine floor is conceived as a space for working and discussion with architects and designers, a materioteca equipped to develop custom projects and strengthen the brand’s historic contract vocation. The basement, on the other hand, offers an immersive experience between memory and innovation, with digital installations, historical archive, iconic works and a tribute to Gio Ponti through the reinterpretation of his Vetrate Grosse.
Also presented within this context is one of Design Week’s most relevant novelties: the new collections signed by Peter Marino. The project includes three Art Light collections and one Art Glass collection that reinterpret historical Venetian glass techniques such as pulegoso, sommerso and cutouts, transforming them into contemporary objects with a strong sculptural value. The collaboration stems from a well-established dialogue between architecture and craftsmanship, and reflects Marino’s personal connection with the city of Venice, experienced as a place of inspiration and direct relationship with master glassmakers. The collections translates his design language of rigorous proportions, material contrasts and sensual minimalism, resulting in lamps and decorative objects that combine architectural precision and expressive force. Projects include the Cactus and On the Rocks series, in which marble and glass confront each other in a balance of density and transparency, matter and light.
The last, precious element on display is a tribute to the Italian artist Mina. The work, created by Design giant Ron Arad, is made of blown glass, and encloses the artist’s profile within the glassy material in shades of light pink. Sinuous and softly shaped, the work and is offered in a limited edition consisting of 49 pieces and 3 artist’s proofs. This first edition will be followed by a further run, planned for September, again of 49 pieces and 3 artist’s proofs, in a new color scheme.
The inauguration of the new Milanese space thus becomes an opportunity to celebrate several icons: from the creative spirit of Peter Marino to the creative flair of Ron Arad, together with one of the most extraordinary voices of Italian and international music, sealing the encounter between VENINI’s artistic excellence and the immeasurable excellence of art and design, both Italian and international.
[đź“· Courtesy of Venini]
