The authoritative perspective of the founder of Design Gallery Milano. Design as a tool for dialogue and culture
An impartial voice, a neutral standpoint that conveys the emotion behind a design piece, without altering its original function. On the eve of Milan Design Week, what perspective could be more authoritative than Mario Godani’s? We turned to an expert in the field, someone who has merged innate passion with professionalism and dedication, carving out a prestigious position in the design world.
A founding member and executive producer of Memphis, which redefined the role of contemporary design, Mario Godani went on to create, in the 1980s, Design Gallery Milano with his wife Brunella, a space that has established itself over time for its visionary spirit, as well as the research and experimentation of evocative furniture pieces. A pioneering approach, in short, to an emotional interpretation of design.
What do you regret from a few decades ago? “Everything was easier, more natural. People were more positive, and more space was given to creativity. The idea was that by dealing with design, one could communicate something beyond just the furniture. For example, there was a lot of emphasis on collections, not on individual pieces.”
What is your view on contemporary design? “There’s an incredible advancement in technology. However, when you look at the final result, there is a total flattening of creativity.”
What does design mean to you? “In just a few words, it’s a tool to tell stories and to engage in discussions… It’s a cultural means of communication, therefore. However, the world inevitably changes…”
How did your involvement in the industry begin? “Actually, I started by working in theatre productions, and in this field, I learned the importance of discipline. My meeting with Ettore Sottsass was decisive: this led to the birth of the Memphis movement. Design Gallery Milano was born with the idea of hosting designers who could work in complete freedom, without any constraints, except for the need to simply represent themselves.”
Research works and avant-garde, but also an unstoppable creative drive…
The interview continues on DENTROCASA on newsstands and online.
Project Director RITA BAIGUERA
Graphic Designer CRISTINA ZANACCHI
Stefania Vitale
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