FUORI SALONE 2010: Rosenthal and Sambonet present “Alberi” (Trees), an installation designed by Giulio Iacchetti.
An inviting little forest in the University of Milan’s courtyard represents the prosperity of these two leading international design firms.
For Milan’s Design Week, Rosenthal and Sambonet will be presenting “Alberi,” an installation created by Giulio Iacchetti, one of today’s top designers both in Italy and on the international scene.
The installation, which is part of the Interni Think Tank event, will be open from 13-25 April in the courtyard of the historical University of Milan, in Via Festa del Perdono.
The six trees that make up Giulio Iacchetti’s installation symbolise the grandeur and prosperity of Rosenthal and Sambonet, two leaders in international design which have recently joined forces within a single group, thus strengthening their position as global leaders in the designer tableware sector.
The acquisition of Rosenthal by Gruppo Sambonet Paderno Industrie S.p.a., finalised in August 2009, has brought the expertise demonstrated by Sambonet in processing steel for the production of designer kitchen and table items together with the beauty of Rosenthal, one of the most prestigious brands in the porcelain tableware and home furnishings sector.
Engaging attractively with the setting provided by the courtyard of the University of Milan, “Alberi” appears as an inviting little grove in the heart of the design capital, a place to relax and escape the frenzy of urban life.
“As a metaphor for abundance and generosity, trees grow and become stronger, offering their fruits, shade, and protection;” explains Giulio Iacchetti “this is why we chose to use six trees to represent the two companies.”
“The tree branches dedicated to Sambonet are made of flatware, carafes and trays, and illustrate the tradition of expert steel processing, while those dedicated to Rosenthal are laden with ceramic teacups, plates, and soup dishes,” concludes Iacchetti.
The synergy between Rosenthal and Sambonet, two enterprises that have always focused on design, innovation, and product quality, comes to life through Giulio Iacchetti’s installation, which also reiterates the Group’s profound interest in working with prestigious international designers.
Alberi (Trees)
by Giulio Iacchetti
for Rosenthal and Sambonet
Part of the Interni Think Tank event
Dates: 13-25 April 2010
Location: Courtyard of the University of Milan
Via Festa del Perdono 7
Hours: Tuesday 13 April – Sunday 18 April: 10 a.m. – 12 midnight
Monday 19 April – Sunday 25 April: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Giulio Iacchetti has been employed in the field of industrial design since 1992, working on projects for both Italian and international companies. In addition to working as a designer, he also teaches at various universities and design schools.
The signature features of his work are the constant search for and creation of new types of objects, such as the Moscardino bio-degradable, multi-purpose “spork” for which Iacchetti was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 2001, along with Matteo Ragni, and which is now part of the permanent design collection at the MoMA in New York.
Through the conception and coordination of the Eureka Coop joint project, carried out for Coop Italia, he brought design to large-scale retail and influenced the new generation of Italian design. In 2009, the project earned him the “Premio dei Premi” award for innovation, presented by the President of the Italian Republic. In May 2009, the Triennale di Milano hosted a personal exhibition of his entitled “Giulio Iacchetti. Oggetti disobbedienti” (Disobedient Objects).
Rosenthal, one of the leading brands in designer tableware, produces porcelain, glassware, and home furnishings, and is the absolute forerunner in designer tableware. Founded in 1879 by Philipp Rosenthal, it also owns the brands Thomas and Hutschenreuther. World-famous designers including Jasper Morrison, Paul Wunderlich, and Patricia Urquiola, not to mention artists like Salvador Dalì, have all worked for Rosenthal. The company is headquartered in Selb, with production facilities in Speichersdorf, both in Bavaria, Germany.
Sambonet, founded in Vercelli in 1856 and now headquartered in Orfengo (Novara), is currently a national and international leader in the manufacture of designer items for the kitchen and table. In 1997, the company joined the Paderno Group, a world leader in the manufacture of professional cookware and kitchen utensils.
Superior design, innovation, and product quality have allowed the company to obtain numerous forms of recognition over recent years. In 2006, the company won the prestigious Award For Excellence assigned by L. C. di Montezemolo on behalf of Confindustria, and in 2007, the Red Dot Design Award for its Twist flatware and Menù cookware. In 2008 and 2009, the H-Art and Party flatware collections received GOOD DESIGN AWARDS from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.
