ADI Design Museum

Curated by Luciano Galimberti
Curatorial support and research coordination: Valentina Fisichella
Exhibition design: Alessandro Colombo, Paola Garbuglio

ADI Design Museum presents a monographic exhibition—accompanied by the publication of a catalog and made possible with the contribution of SEA Milan Airports—dedicated to the designer who made reformism the stylistic hallmark of his work.

“Angelo Cortesi – A Life in Design” is the title of both the book and the exhibition, the first solo show dedicated to the figure and works of the architect (Asola, 1938 – Milan, 2020), from which the designer’s “militant” attitude immediately emerges, his commitment, his continuity in the name of design, and his desire to live life as a project in constant evolution, without pause, without end.

The works completed for the Far East, the Linate and Malpensa airports, the projects for Cadorna train station and the 18th International Triennale of Milan, as well as those related to living, working, and critical thinking, manifesto projects affirming new theories, the objects that inevitably accompanied him during his days outside the home, and the experiences shared with the extended ADI family—all come together in this presentation.

An unprecedented, circular connection between the world of personal relationships, political commitment, the pervasiveness of design, and the destiny of design itself: this is the philological structure guiding the conception of the book and exhibition, reconstructing and critically narrating the identity of one of the protagonists of Italian design culture, who until now had remained largely unexplored.

A project by ADI Design Museum – Museo del Compasso d’Oro, confirming its commitment to research, an essential foundation for generating cultural, social, and educational content aimed at both industry professionals and the general public, fostering new dialogues in the process of enhancing Italian design, which finds its privileged space here, amplified by the dialectical relationship with the active memory represented by the Historic Collection of the Compasso d’Oro Award.

The site-specific exhibition design by architect Alessandro Colombo reflects the two interpretative perspectives outlined by the curators: the first follows an anthology-based approach, built on a qualitative collection of Angelo Cortesi’s works and projects, grouped by specific thematic distinctions, organized according to typological or functional criteria, or classified by the location of the projects. On another level, the exhibition also takes the form of a retrospective, presenting a continuous narrative of the key biographical milestones of his life on a timeline that spans the entire exhibition space, connecting experiences and projects along the existential path of the protagonist, who is thereby placed back into his historical context.

On the exhibition islands, visitors can view original drawings, previously unseen models, products designed for companies, prototypes, posters, magazines, and photographs of Angelo Cortesi’s projects, all presented in their modern relevance. Like episodes of an ongoing present, these reveal the full awareness of a designer working for the future, managing to be impactful even in unconventional areas, affirming the centrality of design as a visionary and cross-disciplinary key to understanding multiple fields of knowledge.

This cross-disciplinarity aligns with the museological structure of the ADI Design Museum, which envisions the experience of its exhibitions and permanent collection as always circular, fluid, and continuous—just as design is continuous, a structural component of all areas of life, revealing its essential capacity for invention.

The overlapping of narrative levels, the simultaneous presence of multiple times in the storytelling, and the multiplicity of critical choices underlying the book and exhibition make it a cultural product of dissemination, while also posing questions to the world of design, the political system, and civil society: What is the role of design today? Is it still possible to envision evolution, or is there instead a regression from what Angelo Cortesi imagined? And what do we really need?

Visit information

• 26 September – 24 October 2024
• Admission included in the museum ticket

On the occasion of the 2024 World Kendo Championships, Milan will host an extraordinary exhibition entitled ‘SAMURAI – The Art of Arms and Armour’. The exhibition will be held from 26 June to 18 July at the ADI Design Museum, located in Piazza Compasso d’Oro 1, with entrance from Via Ceresio 7. Organised by I.N.T.K. – Italian Association for the Japanese Sword and Giuseppe Piva – Japanese Art, the exhibition will offer visitors a unique opportunity to admire a collection of Japanese swords and antique armour. These precious artefacts, symbols of a millenary tradition, represent the excellence of samurai art and culture.

‘SAMURAI – The Art of Arms and Armour’ will explore the history and evolution of Japanese weapons and armour from the late 14th century to the present day, highlighting the craftsmanship and cultural significance they have had over the centuries. Visitors will be able to understand how instruments designed for certain purposes were considered artefacts of art even at the time of their creation and considered collectors’ items from ancient times. A showcase will display the evolution of Japanese sword shapes and forging schools through perfect reproductions created specifically for study purposes. Another space will be dedicated to kodogu, the hilts of swords, objects of admirable workmanship and rich in inlays and workmanship in precious materials. These artefacts are of particular interest as they are considered not only a mere accessory but also proof of the high level of skill achieved by craftsmen. This exhibition will also be enriched by four suits of armour (yoroi), three helmets (kabuto) and three masks (menpo), all of which are of exquisite workmanship and in perfect condition. In addition to fans as signs of command, prints and a scroll depicting samurai practising. Finally, a stage of the exhibition will be dedicated to one of the most important contemporary forge-makers, testifying to how this ancient art is still handed down and cherished. The exhibition not only celebrates the aesthetics and functionality of these works of art, but also offers an insight into the philosophy and values that guided the samurai, such as honour, courage and discipline. An exhibition that promises to fascinate fans of Japanese history, art and culture. The event is an integral part of the initiatives linked to the World Kendo Championships, and represents an opportunity to immerse oneself in Japanese culture and better understand the historical roots of this ancient martial art.