Category: Robert Blatman

During my time in Milan I learned a great deal about design, both the subject and its history. I thought the trip west to Piemonte to visit the Alessi factory was really interesting, especially where we learned all about the company’s design philosophy. The part about blending the aesthetic appeal of an object as well as its functionality seemed pragmatic enough but at the same time refreshing. A healthy balance is always good and it seems like in a lot of recent architectural design the focus is placed entirely on one aspect, whether it’s bucking a trend at the expense of look or functionality or chasing higher dollar returns at the expense of design integrity.

The Kartell museum was another place I thought was fascinating because they used very simple forms and colors to create such interesting looking pieces of furniture. Many of the colors they used were very strong but never appeared gaudy.

I also really enjoyed the trip to the graphic design studio, Studio FM. While I am not a graphic design student and do not have plans to enter the graphic design realm, the presentation was really helpful because it broke down the philosophy and methodology of design rather than just showing us finished products. I particularly appreciated the explanation of the grid they made to use as a template for all the signs in the Doha Airport.

The man who gave the presentation at Studio FM also gave some advice about the design process I liked a lot. He said it is important to not get too in love with one idea, but rather you should always be willing to scrap your plans and start over if it is not heading in the right direction. This is very similar to Ernest Hemingway’s quote about killing your darlings. In any creative process, whether it is writing, visual, or something else, people will make something they like a lot and get stuck on that idea. But these two creative minds gave the same advice to be willing to let go of an idea you really like if it doesn’t have anywhere to go.

Lastly, as an urban studies major, getting the chance to see and observe Italy was incredible. I got to visit several cities besides Milan, like Rome, Genoa, and Turin, all of which were cool in their owns ways. It is interesting to see the difference between Italian urbanism and American urbanism. Because Italy is much older, it is laid out for pedestrians instead of for cars, and this makes getting around so much easier and a lot more enjoyable. The streets are a lot less predictable and just meander out from the city centers. There is also much more of an emphasis on public space, with many piazzas, parks, fountains, and benches made with the intention of letting people congregate to do as they please. The smaller scale and and walkability as well as emphasis on public space gives these cities a much more intimate feel and makes the pedestrian feel a deeper connection with both the city and the other people who inhabit the space. It is my wish that American cities start to follow a more European model of design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend I stayed in town and got to explore Milan a little bit more. The first place I went was the Sforza Castle, called the Castello Sforzesco in its native Italian. It is right next to Cairoli Station and sits at the end of Via Dante, a very pleasant pedestrian street that connects the Duomo to the Sforza Castle. Cars re not allowed on it, leaving pedestrians to roam freely and the sidewalks are lined with restaurants, shops, and cafes. Most of the restaurants have large eating areas situated outside on the sidewalks, giving the street plenty of life and constant energy.

The castle itself was really cool to explore and had numerous galleries. There were old columns, tapestries, and paintings detailing the history of the castle and its role in Milanese history. The armory was especially fascinating as it showcased 18th and 19th century weapons ranging from swords and glaives to early rifles.

On the upper level there was a large gallery with 20th century furniture, many of which were made by people we had learned about or at least briefly referenced. The Memphis Group had a lot of work there in particular.

I spend this past weekend in Rome, aptly nicknamed the Eternal City.  The visible history of the city was both astonishing and mesmerizing as every turn seemed to lead to another monument or ruin and lead me down another cramped street full of crooked buildings with street performers and restaurants. Like Milan, the streets of Rome seemed to wind and sprawl endlessly with only a few (Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, Via Condotti) staying straight for any substantial length. It really gave the impression of an endless city with an abundance of offerings and places to go.

Across the Tiber River is a neighborhood called Trastevere (literally translating to Across the Tiber). There are fewer historical monuments here, but it is the center of most nightlife in Rome. It winds up along the hills and hosts various bars, cafes, shops, and plazas.

Among the highlights of the trip were seeing the Trevi Fountain (the inspiration of the fountain at Caesar’s Palace), the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele, and the Vatican.

This weekend I visited the northern Italian cities of Genoa and Turin. Other than Milan, they are the other two cities that make up Italy’s Industrial Triangle. Walking around Genoa it was really interesting to experience the city and see how it was laid out. Unlike Milan or Turin, Genoa is built on steep hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and it serves as Italy’s biggest port. While most of the city is laid out fairly randomly, and built along winding roads that curl around the hills, the center of town was organized around a large fountain with large boulevards radiating away from it. Along these streets were dozens of ornate buildings with massive arcades.

Turin, like Genoa, had a central boulevard with arcades. However, Turin was much more organized in terms of city planning. It was the first capital of Italy, from 1865 to 1869, and this was quite clear from the main street Via Roma, that spanned from a vibrant train station through a central square and multiple eras of architecture before ending at a giant plaza with a fountain and cathedral.

A key difference as well between the two cities was that Genoa had far more immigrants and was more aimed at tourists, especially near the harbor. Turin looked the same as it probably did several decades ago, with the immigrant neighborhoods outside of the central business district. In the early 1900s, part of the city was leveled to expand Via Roma and its arcades to connect it with the train station. The architecture style looked very similar to Milan’s Centrale Station as they were both done under Mussolini.