Behind the Mesh

Dialogues and Collaborations between Italy and Japan

i-Mesh featuring Cristiano Toraldo di Francia's Istogramma at the House of Italian Design at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo
Istogramma, Cristiano Toraldo Di Francia, 180 x 162 cm, Carbon and Fiberglass, Arazzi Contemporanei, 2018

i-Mesh plays a prominent role alongside Cristiano Toraldo di Francia’s Istogramma in the House of Italian Design located at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo.

This recognition is significant in a space dedicated to cultural diplomacy and the promotion of Italian excellence, embodying a mission of quality and curatorial prestige. The world’s admiration for Italy lies in the design industry, characterized by aesthetic functionality, technological innovation, original creative thinking, academic research, and a passion for beauty.

The House of Italian Design is the first permanent exhibition of Italian industrial design in an Embassy abroad. The initiative, led by Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti, was realized in collaboration with the Association of Industrial Design (ADI) and with the valuable contributions of leading Italian design companies that have successfully integrated cultural and environmental challenges into the production of goods and services. Among them are Arper, Artemide, Brembo, Cassina, De Longhi, Ducati, Ferrari, Fiandre, FontanaArte, i-Mesh, Kartell, La Cividina, Lamborghini, Maserati, Molteni&C, OZ Racing, Piaggio, Pirelli, Poltrona Frau, Quadrifoglio Group, Shukoh, and Unifor.

Alberto Fiorenzi, COO of i-Mesh with Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti

The permanent exhibition covers approximately 150 meters in the rooms of the Chancellery, renovated in 2005 by Gae Aulenti). The exhibition showcases various objects, including icons that have been awarded the Compasso d’Oro prize. This prize has been awarded by ADI since 1954 to recognize the best Italian design products and designers. Each product is accompanied by technical sheets and scalable information, as well as QR codes that link to the manufacturing companies’ web pages. This creates an interactive experience that combines the pleasure of viewing with the digital dimension, fully enhancing the design genesis of each story.

Ninnaji Pattern | i-Mesh Runners Collection
Cristiana Colli
AUTHOR
With a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a background in journalism and social research, spearheads the conception and execution of cultural projects, events, exhibitions, festivals, and enhancement programs. Alongside her role as Director of the magazine "Mappe," she has been the driving force behind "Demanio Marittimo.Km-278" since 2011. She is instrumental in crafting and promoting strategies for social and cultural communication, particularly focusing on landscape, architecture, contemporary art and design, photography, and the essence of “Made in Italy”. Her expertise benefits a wide array of stakeholders, including public and private institutions, museums, corporations, and foundations.

The museum, exhibition, and related services intersect with the Embassy’s everyday life, hosting meetings, seminars, press conferences, and cultural events in a flexible and versatile setting. The building pays homage to the distinctive RAL3011 Brown-Red color, the shade of the façade of the Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo, reminiscent of refined Japanese lacquer. The Design House in Tokyo aspires to be the world’s first example of an Italian-made museum housed in an Italian Embassy and represents a testament to the strong cultural ties between Italy and Japan.

The exhibition, which was curated by MB-AA Architects Matteo Belfiore and Valentina Cannava and inaugurated on March 12, 2024, by Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti, is under the patronage of ADI - Industrial Design Association

Ninnaji Pattern | i-Mesh Runners Collection
Cristiano Toraldo di Francia
Istogramma, Cristiano Toraldo Di Francia, 180 x 162 cm, Carbon and Fiberglass, Arazzi Contemporanei, 2018
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Ninnaji Pattern | i-Mesh Runners Collection
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Cristiano Toraldo di Francia
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Istogramma, Cristiano Toraldo Di Francia, 180 x 162 cm, Carbon and Fiberglass, Arazzi Contemporanei, 2018
Caption
No items found.
Cristiana Colli
AUTHOR
With a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a background in journalism and social research, spearheads the conception and execution of cultural projects, events, exhibitions, festivals, and enhancement programs. Alongside her role as Director of the magazine "Mappe," she has been the driving force behind "Demanio Marittimo.Km-278" since 2011. She is instrumental in crafting and promoting strategies for social and cultural communication, particularly focusing on landscape, architecture, contemporary art and design, photography, and the essence of “Made in Italy”. Her expertise benefits a wide array of stakeholders, including public and private institutions, museums, corporations, and foundations.