The Eighth Italian Design Day was celebrated in Adelaide with a captivating conversation between architect Thomas Masullo, Director of Woods Bagot, one of the world’s most renowned architecture firms, and designer Jim Hannon-Tan, an expert in industrial design. Hannon-Tan’s work, which is inspired by the convergence between art and technology, has led him to collaborate with some of the most prestigious companies worldwide.
Moderated by Anna Brown, senior lecturer in design at the University of South Australia, the conversation focused on the theme chosen for the 2024 edition of Design Day: ‘Making Value – Inclusivity, Innovation and Sustainability’.
The Adelaide Ferrari showroom was the perfect venue to confer the right value to the event and to create useful synergies: architects, designers, academics, entrepreneurs, critics and communicators had the opportunity to reflect on the theme topics and admire the itmes on display, emblems of the Made in Italy.
The conversation was introduced by the Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels MP and Italian Consul in South Australia, Ernesto Pianelli, who wanted to thank the official sponsors of the event: Zagame Automotive Group, Burnside Village, the Italian Trade Agency (ICE – Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian companies), Totino Estate Wines and Radio Italia 531 as well as the numerous exhibitors who took part to the initiative: Leonardo, a global high-tech company and a key player in Aerospace, Defence & Security, headquartered in Italy, Macron, an Italian sporting apparel company, considered leader in the production of active sportswear. Zest Living for Calligaris, contemporary home furnishings and Italian design, Vespa and Lambretta two iconic motorcycles of the 1950s and 1960s, Natuzzi Italia the Italian furniture lifestyle brand best known around the world, Smeg Dolce & Gabbana – Sicily is my Love – 50’s Retro Style small kitchen appliances.
Consul Pianelli thanked Enrico Palermo, Director of the Australian Space Agency, for providing a model of the SpIRIT Satellite. The satellite was launched in December 2023 in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency. The Consul Ernesto Pianelli also thanked the Italian Trade Agency in Sydney (ICE Agency) for organizing media coverage of the event with Vogue Living magazine.
The initiative was organised by the Consulate of Italy in Adelaide as part of the ‘Integrated Promotion’ initiatives coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) within a broader strategy to support all Made in Italy.
The Italian Design Day 2024 is organised by MAECI in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Contemporary Creativity of the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Industrial Design Association, the Compasso d’Oro Foundation, ICE Agenzia, the Salone del Mobile, the Milan Triennale, and FederlegnoArredo.
