Young Photographers Reimagine Vico Magistretti's Design Classics in Milan

The Fondazione studio museo Vico Magistretti in Milan presents 'Fuori catalogo. Cinque fotografi interpretano cinque prodotti di Vico Magistretti,' a small exhibition curated by Anniina Koivu and Francesco Zanot. Five young photographers from ECAL in Lausanne reinterpret five iconic products by the late Milanese architect and designer Vico Magistretti (1920-2006), including the Selene chair (produced by Artemide from 1969 to the mid-1980s), the Ekon office lamp (produced by Oluce from 1977 to 1983), and the Pan armchair (produced by Rosenthal Studio Linie from 1980). The photographers, who were not yet born when these items were in stores, use digital techniques to resemantize the objects. The exhibition questions the importance of commercial longevity, highlighting how products like Selene—one of the first monocoque plastic chairs made in Italy—became unsustainable economically, while Ekon never achieved mass success. Pan's brief production coincided with Rosenthal's expansion beyond porcelain. The show also includes archival drawings and vintage photos from the foundation's collection.