For the 64th edition Salone del Mobile in Milan (21–26 April 2026), the Italian Cultural Institute of Bangkok, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy, presents a talk by Professor Fulvio Irace, an expert in the history of architecture and design. The event is part of Bangkok Design Week and the Italian Design Day 2026 (IDD), the annual celebration dedicated to Italian creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship. Now in its tenth edition, Italian Design Day around the world is promoted and coordinated by the Ministry of Culture together with the leading stakeholders of the wood, furniture, and design sectors.
In 2026, companies and designers from all over the world will gather in Milan to present their visions of space. The 64th edition will focus on the theme of matter, understood as the tangible origin of design. Matter holds an ancient memory while at the same time concealing a potential to be revealed and transformed through the designer’s mastery. This process culminates in the unveiling of the finished artifact: objects that carry not only function and form, but also memory, tension, and vision. The journey therefore begins with a close exploration of matter, followed by the presentation of objects in their essential form. Finally, matter allows itself to be shaped by the human gesture: it is touched, carved, and modified until it becomes the finished object.
Maria Porro, President of the Salone del Mobile, comments:
“With A Matter of Salone we wanted to place matter back at the center as the origin of design thinking. A living matter, open to being questioned, transformed, and traversed. This campaign is an invitation to look at design not only as a result, but as a collective process that takes shape through the dialogue between hands, knowledge, and visions. This is how the Salone continues to tell the story of its time: by starting from what truly matters.”
