A cultural discussion exploring the intersections between art and design, unveiling new perspectives in the dialogue between East and West.
The eagerly awaited talk When Design meets Art. A Conversation Between Italy and China, curated by Annalisa Rosso, Editorial Director & Cultural Events Advisor of Salone del Mobile.Milano, was held on Sunday 10th November, at The Orbit. The event offered a unique multidisciplinary perspective, exploring the ways in which the dialogue between art and design can open up new avenues for creativity and innovation in a global context with Italy and China as its protagonists.
Internationally prominent figures in the world of art and design took to the stage. The Chinese designer Wu Bin, known for his unmistakable ‘Modern Orientalism’ style, spoke about his aesthetic vision, which combines Eastern and Western furniture and artworks. Inspired by traditional Chinese ink paintings and a deep connection with nature, Bin integrates materials, colours and proportions into compositions that reflect new lifestyle scenarios for contemporary Chinese audiences.
Alongside Wu Bin, Feng Cao, founder of the 20C Gallery and collector, shared his aesthetic vision: inspired by iconic Italian design pieces from the 1950s to the 1980s, Cao creates connections that celebrate craftsmanship and cultural heritage as key elements in building a better future.
The discussion was enriched by the presence of Matilde Cassani, an Italian architect and artist, who works between visual art and design. Cassani discussed her experiences of creating art projects and installations that interweave visual communication and spatial performance, offering a fresh, unprecedented and authorial look at spaces and architecture.
When Design Meets Art. A Conversation Between Italy and China was designed to be an opportunity for dialogue between East and West, an encounter between the spiritual and the real, everyday dimensions, in an international context in which tradition and modernity come together to give life to new creative possibilities, within the framework of a cultural and creative dialogue between two of the world’s most influential design traditions.