Design looks ahead: 9 stories from Veneto

During the 56th Venice Art Biennale inside, the Padiglione Venezia houses an exhibition, curated by Aldo Cibic, entitled Looking Ahead. The evolution of the art of making. 9 stories from Veneto: digital – not only digital.
The exhibition presents 9 case studies of design companies from the Veneto region, having in common the combination of creativity, manufacturing skills, and advanced technology.

As Paolo Baratta, president of the Venice Biennale, says ” We wonder whether the progress of technology, and in particular the spread of digital technology, is leading us towards horizons of standardization and uniformity, or whether on the contrary, it offers new opportunities for development, for creative diversification and hence for experimentation with new forms”.

Above: Installation view of the exhibition Looking ahead. The evolution of the art of making. 9 stories from Veneto: digital-not only digital.
Cover image. Left: Aldo Cibic, curator of the exhibition. Photos: Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.

above: installation views of the exhibition Looking ahead. The evolution of the art of making. 9 stories from Veneto: digital-not only digital. Photos © Inexhibit

By presenting such experiences, the exhibition reveals different interesting approaches to creative production. For example, the role of International partnership is presented by the case of  Eyeworks + M1, two Los Angeles-based eyeglass designers that, in order to produce their innovative glass frames, have found a small manufacturer in a Dolomites’ village with which they developed their projects; the cross-breeding between social networks and craftsmanship is represented through the story of Formabilio that, starting from a web community, now produce furniture and home accessories conceived by young designers, realized by local manufactures and sold online; the evolution of traditional craft techniques to realize high-quality products is expressed by the case of Bonotto, that combines mechanical looms with advanced technology, bringing craft into an industrial factory to produce unique textiles for the most renowned and innovative fashion brands.

above: installation views of the exhibition Looking ahead. The evolution of the art of making. 9 stories from Veneto: digital-not only digital. Photos © Inexhibit

The nine stories presented are:
TAILOR-MADE SAFETY – Dainese
FROM LOS ANGELES TO THE DOLOMITES – L.a.Eyeworks + M1
A DESIGN EDITOR AND HIS DESIGNERS – Magis
REDESIGNING HEAT – Tubes
MAESTROS OF PLASTIC – Virginio NPM
SEWING A DREAM – Staff International
PRODUCERS ON THE NET FOR YOUNG CREATIVES – Formabilio
THE SOPHISTICATION OF IRON – De Castelli
THE SLOW FACTORY – Bonotto