Milan Design Week 2024: First Day Observations from Fuorisalone and Salone del Mobile

The Milan Design Week 2024 commenced with the Fuorisalone exhibitions running parallel to the Salone del Mobile furniture fair. A viral video by Cologne-based designer Mike Meiré questioning "Where is the latest shit?" resonated throughout the 28 exhibition spaces, where merging of fashion, art, and design was evident. The event has transformed into a city-wide design festival where fear of missing out is inevitable. Artist Marc Henry presented paintings created during an Italian residency exploring Italian cinema. Yves Salomon and Michael Bargo showcased extravagant blankets made from various animal furs. The Triennale Milano featured the first European exhibition of photographs by Don Bronstein documenting Chicago's jazz scene from the 1950s-1960s. Italian glass design studio 6:AM, founded by Edoardo Pandolfo and Francesco Palu, installed large Murano glass works in the sunlit, vacant Piscina Romano swimming pool. Belgian design duo Muller van Severen presented "Silhouettes: Celebrating 15 Years" with oversized candlesticks in a garage-like space co-curated by Spanish magazine Apartamento. Lamp manufacturer Bocci hosted "Light as a Medium" featuring new and old works by Omer Arbel in a Milan apartment transformed with elegant drapery. American chef Andy Baraghani created food pairings for the exhibition. The day concluded with over 20,000 steps and anticipation for continued exploration.