Spazio-D, a “concept room” dedicated to Italian design, was inaugurated at the La Prima centre in Almaty. The project was promoted by the Embassy of Italy in Astana, the Italian Cultural Institute in Almaty, and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), and curated by Milan architect Marco Poletti.
“We conceived Spazio-D as an idea made up of many ideas,” said Ambassador Marco Alberti. “It is not a place to buy or sell products; it is a place to meet the companies designing them, producing them, and deciding to present them to the Kazakh market. We offer insights into Italian design, organise net-working and co-working events, as well as themed seminars with local students, artists, designers and architects. Spazio-D is a showcase for Italian creativity and serves to co-create value. I am sure that many other ideas will blossom from this one.”
Spazio-D is located next to the Italian Cultural Institute to encourage a visual interaction between the two buildings and, above all, a continuous exchange of contacts and initiatives, in a logic of integrated promotion. The strength and coherence of the culture-business nexus are enhanced by the fact that the brands and products to be exhibited are chosen based on creativity, quality, history, craftsmanship and sustainability.
“I am very satisfied with this project,” said architect Marco Poletti, creator and curator of the initiative. “Spazio-D completes my collaboration with the Italian institutions in Kazakhstan and brings the two countries closer together in a strategic sector such as design, creating new opportunities” he added.
The Director of the IIC, Edoardo Crisafulli, also expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, saying that “Spazio-D supports the promotional strategy we have chosen. This year we have organised in Almaty “Italia Geniale!”, a large exhibition dedicated to design proposed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While that was the event, Spazio-D is the project, destined to last”.
Spazio d – IIC Almaty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr6HAIFN0ic)
