Almost secret. Drawers between art and design

At Museo Poldi Pezzoli of Milan, via Manzoni 12, the exhibition “Almost secret. Drawers between art and design” curated by Beppe Finessi and promoted and supported by Foscarini and Inventario, further develops the reflection on art and design through a tiny and particular element of the furniture of every house in every age.

This year the debate on art and design focuses on drawers: a particular element throughout the history of interior design, one that is well represented by some historical objects of extraordinary value belonging to the Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli collection.

The exhibition, to be held in the house-museum in via Manzoni from 16th March to 25th April 2016, focuses on the contemporary world of drawers, functional elements able to contain, order and hide that, in the words of the exhibition curator Beppe Finessi “exactly because of these usage characteristics are also able to evoke visions, memories and suggestions”. Young designers but also great design masters have reinterpreted a house element that is deeply rooted in our home living tradition. The exhibition includes classical vertical chests of drawers where also the handles become a substantial part of the project, like in Genesio by Alik Cavaliere; some contemporary masters have played with decoration, like in the creations of Alessandro Mendini; there are the drawers made by Tejo Remy, randomly bundled one over the other. And again, the sophisticated works by Mario Botta and Ettore Sottsass and the amazing creations of Shiro Kuramata, refined voice of Twentieth-century Japanese design.

"This exhibition is part of our collaboration with Inventario, the extraordinary publishing adventure we have been promoting and supporting directed by Beppe Finessi and awarded in 2014 with Compasso d’oro ADI.” Carlo Urbinati, president of Foscarini, says “Inventario is our think-tank on the world of culture, art and design. Six years ago it also became an exhibition we feel particularly proud of that is held at Museo Poldi Pezzoli: a lucky collaboration born in 2011 that has grown stronger over the years and turning out to be a new and exciting challenge every year more”.