During Milan Design Week, architect Roberto Palomba curated an exhibition for Bocconi featuring a selection of objects, ideas, campaigns, and design personalities that highlight the University's founding values. A project that has been celebrated on April 18th with the event Value by design.
There is a connection linking design, its community and a university like Bocconi
explains architect Palomba.
I had the task of identifying the node that can connect these worlds, by carefully selecting realities that represent excellence in design today and can be put in relation with some of the founding values of the University. A recognition for projects and people that represent the state of the art and that we want as the foundations for the future of this relationship. I believe that the new managerial skills that design needs to evolve today have a natural home at Bocconi, something I believe is fundamental for the future of this industry. This selection represents more than a prize, it is the starting point of a common path that will see greater mutual interaction.
The exhibition revolved around a selection of iconic elements:
the famous Zanotta beanbag, was chosen as a symbol of the freedom and independence of Bocconi
Teixidors was selected for the ethical and rigorous approach of the Spanish company to textile production, which exemplifies the University's principles of legality, honesty and integrity;
the adverts created by Ikea where chosen because the Swedish company was among the first to interpret societal changes in contemporary living.
The catalog of the Milanese furniture company Kartell is included for its spectrum of creations embodying freedom of expression, pluralism and harmony in diversity.
The social commitment of the cc-foreducation Foundation created by the Italian company cc-tapis is an example of the solidarity and valorization of diversity typical of Bocconi;
Finally, symbols of Bocconi's tension towards quality and social responsibility are respectively Poltrona Frau, which is credited for the attention to the quality of the product and employment relations throughout its history.
Carl Hansen, as evidence of the Danish design firm’s work with ecological sustainability which is also a value pursued by Bocconi University.
