Martino Gamper's exhibition at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery

Design is a State of Mind

By Ambra Medda

It’s always great to see outstanding design celebrated, and it’s especially encouraging when an institution like London’s Serpentine Galleries gets involved. For their second major design exhibition since Design Real, curated by Konstantin Grcic in 2009, the Serpentine invited influential London-based Italian designer Martino Gamper to curate a new exhibition, Design is a State of Mind, at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery.

Choosing to use shelving systems to tell the story of design objects and their impact on our lives, Design is a State of Mind presents an extensive selection of historical design classics and one-off pieces, alongside contemporary and newly commissioned work, including designs by Gaetano Pesce, Franco Albini, Ettore Sottsass, Ercol, Gio Ponti, and IKEA.

But it’s not just the shelving units that will be on display; each piece exhibited will also be put to use to exhibit collections of objects curated from Gamper’s personal archives, and those of his friends and colleagues, as well as an extensive library of contemporary furniture manufacturing catalogues sourced from around the world.

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Åbäke & Martino Gamper - L’ArcoBaleno blog Åbäke &

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Claudio Salocchi - L’ArcoBaleno blog Claudio Salocchi, Bookcase, 1960. Manufactured by Sormani. Metal, lacquered wood, and pivoting base. Image: Amendolagine e Barracchia. Courtesy of Nilufar.

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Bruno Mathsson - L’ArcoBaleno blog

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Michele De Lucchi - L’ArcoBaleno blog Michele De Lucchi, Montefeltro, 2008. Oak frame, walnut elements, and linseed oil finishing. Image: Amendolagine e Barracchia. Courtesy of Nilufar.

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Ico Parisi - L’ArcoBaleno blog

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Anna Castelli Ferrieri - L’ArcoBaleno blog Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Bookcase, 1946. Manufactured by Pietro Crespi, wall lights by Lumi. Bookcase: Walnut-veneered wood, and painted metal. Wall lights: painted metal. Image: Amendolagine e Barracchia. Courtesy of Nilufar.

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Angelo Mangiarotti & Bruno Morassutti - L’ArcoBaleno blog Angelo Mangiarotti & Bruno Morassutti, Cavalletto, 1955. Walnut. Image: Amendolagine e Barracchia. Courtesy of Nilufar.

design is a state of mind - Serpentine Sackler Gallery - Vico Magistretti - L’ArcoBaleno blog Vico Magistretti, Nuvola Rossa (double set), 1977. Manufactured by Cassina. Image: Fondazione studio museo Vico Magistretti.

 

* All images courtesy of the Serpentine.

  • Text by

    • Ambra Medda

      Ambra Medda

      Ambra is a passionate, seasoned curator, who facilitates great design through innovative collaborations between designers, artists, brands, and institutions. Among many other things.

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