Operae 2016: Independent Design Fair in Turin

Operae, the independent design fair in Turin, runs until November 6, 2016, under the motto 'Be Brave' at Palazzo Cisterna. Curated by Annalisa Rosso, the fair features 33 international designers selected from the 'Designing the future' call, hailing from Italy, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Taiwan, Russia, Japan, and UK. The projects explore frontiers such as craftsmanship, interdisciplinary collaboration with science, and radical material experimentation. Notable objects include a surfboard made of marine microorganisms, a kit for women to cultivate their own intimate parts, and a soap for cleansing impure actions. The fair also includes a section with 10 contemporary design galleries addressing collecting. A special project, 'Trecentottanta. Appunti sull’antica Università dei Minusieri', by Venetian designers Zaven, interprets the 380-year-old Turin guild of woodworkers. The fair organizes B2B meetings connecting designers with Italian and international companies. The 'Piemonte Handmade' initiative pairs 10 selected Piedmontese artisans with galleries and international designers to create unique or limited edition pieces. Rosso emphasizes that Operae aims to build bridges between disciplines, eras, and seemingly distant realities. The venue changes annually to explore lesser-known city spaces.