Zona Tortona 2009

Next week sees the 48th year of biggest event in the global design calendar: the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. Around 88,000 visitors are expected to pour into the area around Via Tortona in the southwest of Milan during this week of the Salone del Mobile. Originally an ad-hoc happening, Zona Tortona Design – for which Blueprint is media partner – has blossomed into major event organised by Design Partners, a collaboration between marketing experts Maurizio Ribotti and Luca Fois.

We present our Zona Tortona highlights…

Tamawa watch by Hubert Verstraeten

ABC- AUTHENTIC BELGIAN CREATIVITY
Spazio Herno – via Savona, 19 A
As part of an initiative of Design Flanders and Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), a group of Belgian designers and brands will showcase a selection of their new collections in a single curated space in ZonaTortona Design. For this edition, they will unveil an original product range that denotes the high level of the exhibition. The designers and brands involved in this show are active on the international market in different innovative sectors such as furniture, textile design, glass design, jewelry and tableware.

Ross Lovegrove's Bamboo bike for Biomega

BIOMEGA
DesignLibrary – Via Savona, 11
In ZonaTortona Biomega presents the world premiere of the spectacular and ground breaking Bamboo Bike by Ross Lovegrove – an exceptional and uniquely designed piece of art. We invite all bike enthusiasts to visit the Design Library and experience the Furniture of Locomotion at it’s finest.

Glass Music by Alfredo Haberli

CZECH SELECTION
TRAS – Via Savona, 19
Czech Selection presents design products of eight Czech furniture and interior accessories producers including Krehky by Designblok Prague, Qubus design, Moravske sklarny Kvetna and Process amongst works by designers such as Olgoj Chorchoj, Alfredo Haberli, Jiri Pelcl and Maxim Velcovsky.

DESIGN LIBRARY CAFE
Via Savona, 11
In April, during ZonaTortona Design 2009, the DesignLibraryCafe will extend its opening hours from 6 am to 3 am. Especially for the fair, “Taste away”, a take away menu of high quality food instead of the usual take away dishes, will be available for those on the go.

Vase by Fish Design

FISH DESIGN
DesignLibrary – Via Savona, 11
A presentation of different vases from the collections by Alessandro Mendini (Mendinismi collection) and Gaetano Pesce. These vases will be showcased in parallelepiped display at the entrance of the DesignLibrary.

Forest Collection from Ilio

ILIO
Forcella 11 – Via Forcella, 11
Ilio is inspired by forms of nature, adopting a playful yet functional approach to present new forms. Functionally and intellectually, Ilio presents multi-layered products to people who take pleasure from fine living. Ilio focuses on both high design quality and the best available production standards.

LAGO APPARTAMENTO – TEMPORARY SHOP
Via Tortona, 21
For the first time ever, an exhibiting company doesn’t stay in a hotel but “lives” in a large flat entirely furnished with unusual versions of its own products. The setting is rounded off by out-of-the-ordinary objects designed by students of the Royal College of Art.

LZF Lamps

LZF LAMPS
Magna Pars – Via Tortona, 15
For ZonaTortona 2009, LZF Lamps have been chosen to illuminate the Design Lounge. The models showcased were born thanks to the collaboration of thirty artistans – from painters and sculptors to fashion and graphic designers. The lighting is a result of the combination of two elements: light and sheets of wood veneer. The veneer provides a spectacular effect that highlights its nobility, creating warm sensual atmospheres both in the domestic and contract market. All products are handmade.

Maos Contemporary Art

MAOS CONTEMPORARY ART
Superstudio Piu – Via Tortona, 27
A new concept of contemporary art, dealing with bi-dimensional and tri-dimensional shapes. Mãos’ work focuses on interactivity and happiness – the main idea of the plastic artists.

Avenue Screen, Portugal Brands

PORTUGAL BRANDS
Via Tortona, 32
Portugal Brands is an exhibition of companies selected for their iconic status within the sphere of design, creativity and product quality. A prestigious collection of fabrics and wallcoverings, furniture, lighting and carpets, as well as bespoke services.

Installation by Toshiba

TOSHIBA
Designlibrary – Via Savona, 11
An LED interactive installation that represents light in harmony with human beings and with the environment. The lamp beams a strong light and pulsates like a human being as the visitor approaches.

LINE 94
The design circular – a strengthened transport system for the week of the fair connecting design destinations around Milan, with each stop displaying it’s cultural and design highlights.