Achille Castiglioni and Bruno Munari's Playful Legacy Explored in Milan Exhibition

Fondazione Achille Castiglioni in Milan presents 'Achille and Bruno, Free to Play' (Achille e Bruno, Liberi di Giocare), an exhibition running from May 29, 2026 to February 16, 2027. Co-curated by Marco Marzini, the show juxtaposes Castiglioni's collection of trinkets, gadgets, and eyewear with Bruno Munari's didactic puzzles, books, and playthings. While Castiglioni never designed toys, his studio—filled with knick-knacks, googly eyes, and 3D movie spectacles—reveals his serious approach to fun. Munari's work, by contrast, includes direct playable objects. The exhibition features interactive stations: visitors can use Rocket Ferrania projectors (designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1960) to create Munari's 'Proiezioni Dirette' with colored film and scraps, or experiment with a photocopier for 'Xerografie originali'. A tipped armchair facing a mirror invites playful selfies, echoing Munari's 1944 Domus spread. A backlit case displays Castiglioni's quirky eyewear collection, with Munari's drawn portraits suspended above. The foundation annually reinterprets Castiglioni's archive; in 2018 it hosted '100×100 Achille' for his centennial. Lenders include Claudia Barozzi, Giovanna Castiglioni, Corraini Edizioni, Danese Milano, and Zanotta spa. Supported by Lardini and Follador.