Curated by architect Matteo Belfiore, the 2019 edition of "Italian Design Day" in Tokyo showcased ten select companies representing the excellence of Italian design.
The exhibition featured "i-Mesh Byobu" as a metaphorical bridge between Italian and Japanese cultures. Byobu is an elegant room divider inspired by historical Japanese paper-made furniture.
Each company chose to display an iconic object from its catalog that best represents beauty, innovation, and utility. Curated by architect Matteo Belfiore, the exhibition layout was designed to mirror the image of an archipelago.
The reference to Japan's islands serves as a metaphor for Italian design companies, each with distinct styles and histories but united in their promotion of Italian aesthetic principles and design excellence. The exhibition "islands," dedicated to each company or product, are set within a landscape that features Karesansui, the Japanese rock garden.
Participating companies and their showcased products included:
- i-Mesh with Byobu
- Alessi with Anna Gong
- Arper with Catifa 46
- Artemide with Come Together
- Barovier & Toso with Aurum
- Cassina with 412 Cab and 413 Cab
- FontanaArte with Kanji
- Foscarini with Twiggy
- Magis with Spun
- Poltrona Frau with Vanity Fair
- Uniform with Parigi
