smow in Milan: “off-Salone”: Part 3

Having re-read the first two “off-Salone” entries, we fear that it could be interpreted that we are not doing very much here.

To correct that view, we must point out that you are only getting the pick of the crop; by the time a text reaches the (smow)blog we have already sorted out the rotten, misformed and unripe fruits.

After leaving the after-hours-acid-jazz-cafe ambiance of the Zona Tortona press room, we headed of north towards the Piazza Moscova.

First port of call was Established & Sons. Every year the London based producer take over a former municipal sports hall in the Via Palermo for their installation. The theme this year appeared to be Robinson Crusoe. We’ll say a little more about the Established & Sons show later, but at this stage a notable mention must go to “Easy” by Klauser and Carpenter – solid, comfortable chair that would be ideal in any waiting area, conference room or as an guest chair in a living room. And it looks good.

Shortly after leaving Established we, literally, stumbled over kkaarrlls – the showcase from students at the Karlsruhe Design College. We’d seen a few photos in advance, and if we’re honest weren’t that taken. However the show itself changed our opinion. Aside from the rattan versions of four classics from Panton, Eames, Gehry and Thonet and the wire frame “ashtray” the Kantbank particularly caught our attention. Not only can one sit on it – and that in comfort and safety – but you can also use it as an ad-hoc surface for writing short notes or using a small laptop. And in that sense it is perfect for press areas at, for example, sports events or design shows, but can also be used be employed in an office setting as an informal meeting area/brainstorming corner.

We then took in a couple of significantly less impressive shows, before, finally, arriving at “Les Belges” -16 young Belgian designers, where our “off-Salone” day came to an end. More on that later.

The day was long, the day was busy, but the day was worth it and we can strongly recommend such a tour to all with an interest in design, designers and the processes that link one with the other.