Kartell Museum – simplicity is key
On Tuesday we visited the Kartell Museum and learned about the company’s history as we traveled through time with various famous designs from the company. It was quite fascinating to see the inception and transformation of the designs, and how something as simple as plastic could be transformed in wonderful ways. The designs of Kartell are all very familiar to us, even if we have never heard of the company. I believe many of their designs are timeless.
I’ll admit, while the history was fascinating and the items quite lovely, I won’t be forgetting the sticker shock I experienced in the gift shop anytime soon.€200 for a plastic chair? I will let it remain as a beautiful memory instead of purchasing it.
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Triennale – focus sketches
While we were visiting the Triennale on Friday, I stumbled upon two perfect subjects for my focus, which is transportation. The first is an interesting form- a sculpture which resembles a motorcycle. It is part of a project called MOTOMORPHOSIS. From the text about the project:
“MOTOMORPHOSIS is a project of social awareness on the issue of education, safety and mobility of all aimed to improve living together and sharing the road.”
I liked the shape and sense of movement from the sculpture. The project is a relevant one. Different modes of transportation- cars, scooters, motorcycles- give us a great deal of freedom, but we must be mindful of one another on the roads in order to live peacefully.
The second sketch was of a Fiat model Zero (1912) as part of the exhibition “Neo-Preistoria”. It was number 61 in the exhibit, which was a progression of items throughout our human history, accompanied by a poem/definition that describes our relationship with each one.
061 – Pilot
To manipulate the powerful dynamics
of a machine as one wishes.
To move a car or airplane at will.
I like this definition of “pilot”, as it conveys the relationship people had with vehicles well- especially Fiat. “Manipulating… as one wishes” gives a sense of freedom- of power. As I’ve been walking, busing, and using the metro across Milan, I’ve sometimes wished that I had a car or scooter to get to a destination quicker. The independence that a vehicle allows us is one I often take for granted.