> The Achille Castiglioni Foundation celebrates the 100th birth anniversary of the grand master of design

To celebrate the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of the grand master of design, the Achille Castiglioni Foundation came up with a unique project with a special show/event, named “100×100 Achille”.

The Achille Castiglioni Foundation invited some of the most widely acclaimed designers in the world to a big party, asking them to choose a gift for Achille and send it to him with a personalized birthday card.

All 100 gifts are anonymous creations, just like those Castiglioni sought out and collected throughout his life, choosing them based on the way they work rather than who designed them. The objects may differ by kind, material or type, but are united by an ingenious concept identified by the designers. The 100 objects represent the first collection for a “Museum of anonymous objects”, that showcases items created by unknown artists, but nonetheless singled out by very famous designers. These anonymous objects of different kinds, materials and types will become part of a Show and be displayed in the extraordinary setting of Achille Castiglioni's studio.

ph: Gianluca Widmer

The party held on 16^th February 2018 celebrated Achille Castiglioni, and the multitude of ways in which the grand master influenced contemporary design and today's leading designers. The exhibit will be hosted by the Achille Castiglioni Foundation at no. 27 Piazza Castello in Milan from 19^th February until 30^th April 2018, and will become a traveling exhibit thereafter.

Chiara Alessi and Domitilla Dardi implemented the project on behalf of the Achille Castiglioni Foundation. The staging of the exhibition was entrusted to Studio Calvi Brambilla, who used mobile and versatile installations that match the general concept of the project.

The exhibit will be hosted by the Achille Castiglioni Foundation at no. 27 Piazza Castello in Milan from 19^th February until 30^th April 2018, and will become a traveling exhibit thereafter.

“I collect objects, I keep a bit of everything, anonymous objects. I keep them aside every time an object appears with an intelligent design component.

Achille Castiglioni”

In celebration of this momentous anniversary, the Achille Castiglioni Foundation is planning many other events, including select re-editions and special versions of products created by the Master, produced by different design companies. Throughout 2018 there will be many opportunities to remember, rediscover, and introduce young designers to the work of Achille Castiglioni. An event-filled year, entirely dedicated to one of the most beloved, ingenious, and revolutionary turn-of-the-century designers (1918-2002).

Dimensione Domestica, Atto III, Tokyo (“Domestic Dimension, Act III, Tokyo”), curated by Beppe Finessi, will recreate Achille Castiglioni's concept of 1984, and his dining room. The show, scheduled to run from 25 May until 21 December 2018, will use graphics by Italo Lupi, and be staged by Marco Marzini.

Also on display at the Achille Castiglioni Foundation will be reproductions of items and furnishings produced by companies such as Alessi, CEDIT Ceramiche d'Italia, FLOS and Zanotta, historically associated with Achille Castiglioni. Alessi will reproduce the iconic Bavero tea cups, special versions of its Dry flatware, and fruit bowl/colander. Zanotta will instead create re-editions of the Albero plant stand, and a special edition of the Servomuto side table. CEDIT Ceramiche d'Italia re-proposes the iconic Lapis ceramic vase – a unique and ingenious piece of design developed in three dimensions and different colors, a palpable tribute to the designs of Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Always designed by the two Castiglioni brothers FLOS will issue reproductions of the spot Ventosa and designed by only Achille the small reading lighting kit Nasa, and a special oversized version of historical Lampadina.

And there's more. In conjunction with the forthcoming Design Week, the Milan Polytechnic School of Design and Department of Design, along with POLI.design will participate in this anniversary celebration and pay tribute to one of its illustrious graduates and professors. This year, the PoliMi Design System stand at Fieramilano Rho (pavilions 6-10) will spark the curiosity of visitors with various activities as it revisits the topic of play and anonymous objects, in keeping with the trademark approach taken by Achille Castiglioni toward his profession and life itself.