PRADA FRAMES

Materials in Flux Teatro Filodrammatici, Milan

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After the success of Prada Frames 2022, dedicated to the theme On Forest, the multidisciplinary symposium exploring the complex relationship between design and the environment, curated by Formafantasma, returns to Milan again this year during Salone del Mobile.

The theme of Prada Frames Milan 2023 is Materials in Flux. Prada chooses to foster a reflection whose ethical and aesthetic implications have been central to the brand's practice for some time: the potential for original creativity and opportunities for low-impact production opened up by the use of innovative recycled materials. The symposium's work is based on the research by British anthropologist Tim Ingold, who views materials as interconnected, endlessly changing living entities. It aims to explore the concept of waste, investigate the dynamics that regulate waste infrastructure and their value systems, and analyse the complex relationship between materials and ecosystems.

Prada Frames is hosted at Teatro Filodrammatici, one of the oldest theatres in Milan, located just a short distance from La Scala and Piazza Duomo. A selection of furnishings and lamps by Azucena, a brand of the B&B Italia Group, was used for the set-up. These iconic pieces are designed by the architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni starting from the end of the 1940s.

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The complete recording of session 1and 2 of the symposium will be available on prada.com starting from April 19th.

Session 3: Designing (April 18, 11am-12.30pm)

During Session 3, a series of current works that embrace an expansive attitude toward design was showcased. Firstly, FIONA RABY and ANTHONY DUNNE presented their current research on the entanglement of humans, and objects. The session continued with the presentation of MICHAEL THOMPSON who looked at cityscapes and value systems attached to waste accumulation. Later, entrepreneur LARA GILMORE introduced her social projects working with food waste. Session 3 ended with the discussion between PAOLA ANTONELLI and ALICE RAWSTHORN highlighting examples of attitudinal design practices that recognize the full potential of each citizen to design with tools, beliefs, and care.

Contributions by:
- Fiona Raby and Anthony Dunne, Principals of Dunne & Raby and University Professors, The New School
- Michael Thompson, Emeritus Scholar, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
- Lara Gilmore @laratgilmore Co-Founder and President of Food for Soul and Refettorio Project
- Paola Antonelli @paolantonelli Senior Curator and Director of R&D, MoMA, and co-founder of Design Emergency
- Alice Rawsthorn @alice.rawsthorn Author of Design as an Attitude, co-founder of Design Emergency

Session 4: Valuating (April 18, 3pm-4.30pm)

During Session 4, material cycles were explored, ranging from space debris with the presentation of RORY HOLMES to digestive systems with the presentation of LYDIA KALLIPOLITI. Later, the fresh graduates of three international higher education spheres (CAROLIN SCHELKLE, EMMIE MASSIAS, ROCIO CROSETTO BRIZZIO and ANA PAOLA HERNANDEZ DERBEZ) introduced some of their projects looking at the potentialities of sand, wool weaving techniques and interspecies alliances. These cycles highlighted the potentialities of rubbish, turd, dirt, and scrap. The session ends with the conversation between SUMAYYA VALLY and NATALIA GRABOWSKA that delved into the complexities of responsible material extraction and application.

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