South Korea celebrates the “Italian Design Day in the World”, an integrated promotion programme developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation which focuses on the theme “Design and the City of the Future” and now at its third edition.
Prof. Arch. Davide Fassi, one of the most renowned experts in the field, is the Ambassador of Italian design in Seoul. He spoke at two events presenting “Design for commons” to the Korean public: a seminar that was hosted at the Yonsei University on 19 March and a conference at the Seoul Tapyeong Hall on 20 March. He is an associate professor at the Design Department at the Milan Polytechnic and adjunct professor at Shanghai Tongji University, College of Design and Innovation. Davide Fassi is a member of the International Coordination Committee of the DESIS Network (Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability) and of the “Design for city making” group. He has also published and curated several publications, including “Temporary Urban Solutions” (2012) and “In the neighbourhood” (2017). His research work focuses on the link between spaces and services with a community-centred approach. His latest research projects are “Coltivando, the convivial garden at the Politecnico di Milano” (2011) and “Human Cities” (2014-2018). He was awarded the 25th Compasso D’Oro in 2018 for his project entitled “CampUS – incubation and settings for social practices” where Fassi and his team developed an innovative and social solution involving 40 local associations and over 200 citizens.
In parallel with Prof. Fassi’s lectures, two other events on Italian design took place in Seoul. They were both organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul with the support of the Italian Embassy to South Korea and in conjunction with the Korean section of the Domus magazine, whose editor-in-chief is Choi Wook, a famous architect. In the beautiful setting of the city’s Design Library, architect Lorenzo Degli Esposti presented the book he curated “Milano capitale del moderno”, a compilation of texts and images from over 300 associates in Europe and the US. They encompass three generations and were involved in the activities carried out in the Architecture Pavilion of EXPO Belle ARTI, a programme hosted at the Grattacielo Pirelli and promoted by the Lombardy Region during EXPO 2015. The exhibition “Vico Magistretti Archivio in viaggio” was opened at the Domus Korea on 20 March. The event, which was produced by Fondazione Vico Magistretti in cooperation with some companies (De Padova, Artemide, Oluce, Schiffini), will run until 20 April, showcasing some of the most beautiful photos of the Milan-based firm of the famous designer, along with some of his creations, sketches and videos with interviews to people who have worked with him.
