Treinnale: A History

Written by: Constanza Coscia

The Triennale of Milano: History and Current Exhibitions

The Triennale of Milano is one of the most important museums of Milan. A museum full of history, art, and most of all, design, it is one of the most interesting places to visit when in Milan. Located in Parco Sempione, the Triennale is easy to access and the walk there is not long when going from the center of the city.

The Triennale first began in 1923 in Monza, initially as a biennale. The museum is transferred to Milano in 1933, and only then becomes what it is actually today: a Triennale.

An extensive history of the Triennale can be found on their website, but I would like to highlight some of the most interesting facts about this wonderful building and its history. “With guidance from personalities such as Gio Ponti and Mario Sironi, the Triennale’s story begins. Architect Giovanni Muzio designs the Palazzo dell’Arte which becomes the Triennale di Milano’s headquarters,” they state. The decades come and go as the Triennale moves to Milan, but it is in the 60s when they are faced with certain problems. Because of the economic, social, and political climate of the 1960s in Italy, the Triennale gets completely destroyed after a bad move: they made a special exhibition for the “young protesters,” and these young revolutionaries took offense to it. The building gets destroyed from the inside out and has to then be rebuilt, postponing the exhibition for a bit.

Now that we have the history out of the way… The eleventh exhibition to be featured in Triennale Museum tells the story of Italian design by using both stories and actual pieces of iconic Italian design. Gio Ponti, famed Italian designer, once asked who it is that Italians were after the Second World War. He described a schizophrenic Italy, one that could not decide between diverse identities. “…a serial production or production of unique pieces? Industrial arts or handicrafts? Decoration or non decoration? Real production or experimental models? Renewal or characterization of production? Conservation of antique techniques or their deliberate replacement? Artistic freedom or exclusively functional, utilitarian dependency? Art objects or utility objects?” Gio Ponti asked these questions the very year the Triennale was moved to Milan. And the exhibition today does not fail to represent this schizophrenic idea.

The eleventh edition of the Triennale shows the most important items of Italian design from 1902 to 1998- which clearly show the divide Italy has gone through throughout the 20th century, and shows the evolution of Italian design until it becomes what we know it as today. The choice of these objects was made very carefully, and the official Triennale website states that it “…is based on their (the objects’) innovative technology and shapes, their aesthetic qualities, experimental nature, iconic appeal, and success among the public.”

Walking to the exhibition is an experience in of itself, as one examines the intriguing history of the Triennale. The entrance to the exhibition is lit up wonderfully, with neon lights guiding the way. In the entrance there are neon signs everywhere, and they lead you to the beginning of the actual exhibition: 1902.

The huge posters show the idea of hope, of industry, and of emotion of Italians at the turn of the century. Italy is a country full of promise, going towards industrialization. The decades go by as you walk through the long, long hallway. You see icons of Italian product design, like the Castiglioni floor lamp, the Vespa, the Fiat 500, the classic coffee maker, among many others. Gio Ponti’s Sedia Leggera hangs from the ceiling from a single piece of string, to demonstrate how light it is. You see Italy’s art nouveau period, its modernism era, its neo modernism, and everything in between. You see the evolution of Italian design, and one cannot help but feel incredibly humble in front of the enormous pieces of history in front of them.

This eleventh edition of the Triennale, I think, is incredibly interesting, and anyone who finds themselves in Milano for the duration of 2018 should pay a visit to the museum. From its interesting history, to the beauty of the building, to the incredibly well organized exhibition, this is a visit well worth doing.

For more information, you can visit the Triennale’s official website by clicking here.