Tortona Rocks 2022. Opificio 31, main entrance - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Tortona Rocks 2022. Opificio 31, main entrance – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Design – Archipanic is proud to be a media partner of Tortona Rocks 2022 in the Tortona district, the birthplace of Milan Design Week. For its seventh edition, the design platform and exhibition features 20 showcases and over 50 participant designers.

Tortona Rocks, inside Opificio 31 in 2021 - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Tortona Rocks, inside Opificio 31 in 2021 – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

THE MAIN THEME is Material – New perspectives in design. It is a motto and a challenge because, after the global shock of the past two years, it is time to rebalance and go beyond starting from the very matter of design. Back to basics? Absolutely not, because materials are the alphabet of design. Only by innovating them can we unlock innovative and alternative paths to build a more humane and sustainable future—one design piece at a time.

THE SPIRIT – What to expect from Tortona Rock? “After two years of hiatus, companies and designers return with an even stronger will to experiment and with a great attention to contemporary challenges, starting from reducing our environmental impact.” Mariantonia Menada of Milano Space Makers – the company that organizes Tortona Rocks – told Archipanic.

Archiproducts Milano - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Archiproducts Milano – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

PRACTICAL INFO – Tortona Rocks’ HQs are located in the post-industrial spaces of the Opificio 31 in Via Tortona 31 [Map]. You can reach it in 10 min walk from Porta Genova metro station [MM2], or by bus n.68 and street car 14, get off in via Bergognone. Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday h.10 am – 9 pm, free entry.

'Composition in Crystal' by Preciosa Lighting - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

‘Composition in Crystal’ by Preciosa Lighting – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

WHAT TO SEE, then? We have selected seven highlights. IQOS, the smart alternative to smoking, presents a monumental project combining art, design and innovation by Truly Design Crew. The unconventional visual communication and urban art studio created an immersive anamorphic mural on several angled surfaces, each one unique and, at the same time, helping to create a large single image. The artwork is painted with Airlite coating, whose high-tech composition reduces air pollutants.

iQOS @ Tortona Rocks - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

iQOS @ Tortona Rocks 2022 – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

The German Design Council presents the work of 21 designers who won the international ein und zwanzig (21 in German) competition. With a particular focus on recycling and upcycling, the projects range from textile to office furniture, lighting design and modular systems. Material experimentation is king. Discover pieces made from banana fibres, natural rubber, glass, jute and black granite. Some example? Isabella Braunreuther integrates wood as a regrowing resource for textile design for her’ A softer wood’ project. Felix Landwehr developed Apio, a modular, node-based connecting system for furniture that doesn’t require any tool.

'A softer wood’ by Isabella Braunreuther - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

‘A softer wood’ by Isabella Braunreuther – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

The Centre for Creativity Slovenia (Czk) presents twenty-two products awarded the Made in Slovenia trademark of excellence. Pattern Generator by Kobeiagi Kilims involves carpet buyers in manual production through computer-controlled co-creation of the final product. Maruša Mazej looks at disposable objects in her Fragile Bodies collection of vulnerable and sensitive ceramic vessels developed during the lockdown.

'Fragile Bodies' by Maruša Mazej - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

‘Fragile Bodies’ by Maruša Mazej – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Stilnovo presents the relaxing Stilnovo Original Lounge, where graphics, activities and products reflect the brand’s philosophy in bright colours, timeless shapes and playful moments. One example? The wall-mounted Minibox by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni, 1981, consists of a metal body and an irreverent luminous eye. The magnetic attachment of the head allows the light to be directed, rendering it suitable for any position.

'Minibox' by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni x Stilnovo - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

‘Minibox’ by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni x Stilnovo – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Czech company Preciosa Lighting presents Composition in Crystal, a harmonic installation creating crystal symphony translated into light effects as visitors interact with it. Composition in Crystal is inspired by the new Crystal Spin collection, an organic design that moves in space through forms and sparkles, thanks to its cylindrical crystal components.

'Composition in Crystal' by Preciosa Lighting - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

‘Composition in Crystal’ by Preciosa Lighting – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Peter Ott, an interior design start-up from Turin, debuts at Fuorisalone and presents images that decorate and transform professional photography into a new graphic style, blending art with interior design.

Peter Ott - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Peter Ott – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Archiproducts Milano, the dynamic and versatile multi-purpose spaces in via Tortona 31, presents a new chapter of the Future Habit(at) concept. Bticino, Samsung, Natuzzi, Buzzispace, Vistosi, Florim and Desalto are only some of the 100 designs on show in the 15-room apartment curated by Studio Salaris.

Archiproducts Milano - Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.

Archiproducts Milano – Courtesy of Tortona Rocks.