The Salone 2010 enjoyed 329,563 attendees, including 32,103 public visitors. 56% of exhibitors came from abroad, confirming the fair's international appeal and justifying its reputation as an elite trade centre, as well as a proving ground for new ideas within the sector.
The Salone Internazionale del Mobile is attended by leading manufacturers to source the latest trends and to exhibit their collections. Satellite is a section of the event devoted to young designers under 35. By invitiation, Melbourne Movement exhibited its seventh and largest ever (16 design projects) collection in this Satellite section; the only Australian presence at the fair.
Design excellence supports economy
Established in 1999 by Professor Kjell Grant of RMIT University, Melbourne Movement is a not-for-profit collective whose aim is to foster the design excellence of young Australian designers both locally and internationally. By informing manufacturers, retailers and consumers about the value of Melbourne design, they hope to create consumer demand for these products that in turn supports a design economy.
There are many examples of prototypes exhibited at Melbourne Movement events that are in production and being sold to consumers, both here and overseas. Leading manufacturers such as Moroso (Italy), ONA (Spain), Zanotta (Italy), Schiavello Industries (Australia), Ekbe (Sweden), Ikea (Sweden) and Alessi (Italy) have taken up design offerings from the Melbourne Movement booth.
This year, manufacturers Herman Miller, Zanotta, Moroso, and Capellini visited and displayed interest in the collections, as did institutions MoMa NY and Material Connexion. It can take years to have outcomes from interested manufacturers, and Melbourne Movement will continue supporting its members by creating tangible links between designers and manufacturers.
2010 Milan exhibition designers
16 pieces of work from six recent graduates from RMIT, Monash and Swinburne Universities were selected and displayed at the fair. Some of these works included:
• Adam Cornish (RMIT) Hammock, small twist stool, tall twist stool, fruit bowl and lights
• Anara Mailybayeva (RMIT) Workstation sculpture
• Anja Grant (Monash) Fold table
• Corey Baker (Monash) Recliner, bookshelves, table
• Lisa Formaggin and Zsuza Kun (Swinburne), tables and stools made from cardboard
Supporting young designers
To ensure that Melbourne Movement remains focused on young designers; participants must have graduated within the previous four years from RMIT, Monash or Swinburne Universities. Typical entry barriers for young designers to exhibit their work internationally include a lack of capital and experience. Melbourne Movement provides them with a hands-on opportunity to learn how to exhibit their work professionally, negotiate with manufacturers and gain knowledge of associated legal issues, and importantly gives them the on-going confidence to work in an international market.
The experience not only provides immediate economic benefit to the designers but also gives them the confidence and contacts to establish design-based businesses in our city. The City of Melbourne is a proud supporter of Melbourne Movement exhibiting at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, as it showcases Melbourne as the design centre for Australia. Melbourne and Milan have been sister cities since 2004 and throughout this time, the City of Melbourne has supported export-ready designers to exhibit during this prestigious event, often resulting in medium to long-term export success.