Leonardo Da Vinci, the Multidisciplinary Designer

National Museum of Science and Technology: Leonardo Da Vinci , Milan - Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Located in Milan, Museo Nazionale della Scienze e della Tecnologia Leonardo Da Vinci is Italy’s largest science and technology museum. The museum features a collection of reconstructed models of Leonardo Da Vinci’s machines.

Nudity in Italy

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Many people think of Italy as a country with a very old history (which is true) and conservative values. However, after walking down the streets of Italy, I noticed that they are a lot more liberal (and some would say vulgar) when it comes to depicting the human body. They frequently use nude photos (especially of women) in their advertising techniques, which almost never happens in North America, at least not for something that isn't supposed to be edgy or racy. Here are a couple images I've seen since our trip to Italy began (sorry for the quality, but most were through store windows in a hurry).

Some images are playful (and are from the side)....

The Accessibility of Design Through the Design Library

The design library an open window to young designers in Italy and soon around the world

Design Library, Milano – Thursday, June 9^th

Part of the Design Library's collection of books and magazines

The Design Library in Milan is an example of easy accessibility to the world of design to young designers. With its >5000 books and >1500 magazines, its lectures on every Thursday and a swirl of events that take place, it’s difficult for young and professional designers to resist the curiosity and knowledge that the library provides. What’s even more beneficial is that anyone is able to present at any lecture, not just famous designers or design professors. With the many styles of lectures – for example the Castiglioni format (finding objects in the streets and explain why you picked it) or the Vitamin D format (young designers, <35 years old, get a half hour to talk about themselves and their work), many varieties are given to the students and young designers in terms of witnessing different perspectives of design and its diversity.

This library is just an example of the many outlets of design that young designers get exposed to in Italy. The degree of accessibility is incredibly high – especially through the amount of design museums, exhibitions, studios and even retail stores and shops. The number of studios and museums that we’ve been to are minimal compared to the amount in Italy itself and we’ve visited a LOT! 

Shannon, Victoria, Calvin

The Studio of Mendini

A glimpse of the nature of Alessandro Mendini and his studio

Studio of Alessandro Mendini, Milano – Friday, June 10^th

A view of Mendini's design studio

One of the most colorfully themed designers that we have met on this Grand Tour was Alessandro Mendini. If you take one step into his studio, you will almost be overwhelmed by all the colors that you are confronted with. 

The Story of the Black Submarine

The journey of the icon of the Science and Technology Museum

 

Museum of Science and Technique (Leonardo’s Machines), Milano – Thursday, June 9^th

Enrico Toti at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan today

The big and black submarine at the museum of Science and Technology, called the Enrico Toti, was constructed at the height of the Cold War in 1967 with a mission to track Russian nuclear-propelled submarines. It was disarmed and retired in the 1990s and after years of discussion, the final decision was to relocate it to the museum of Science and Technology in Milan. The entire journey of this massive moving trip was 92 km long, lasting 11 days.

Youth in the Design Community

Founded by Valerio Castelli, Design Library started in Milan and now has become a hub for designers to meet. The library houses a growing collection of books and magazines accessible to the public—through this establishment a vital part of any design community has been made. Not only a space for resources, Design Library has become an area for people to convene and engage in lectures, discussions, and interviews. Young people are essential to this particular library as they comprise of 70% of the people coming in. Castelli has further integrated youth into Design Library’s values by inviting them the opportunity to speak and show their own work through a program called 'Vitamin D'. If a young designer meets three requirements (he or she must be no older than 35 years old, have a website, and product in production) they are given time to explain themselves and show their work. Design Library is a prime example of the constant effort from both older and younger generations to come together and share ideas.

Castelli was also one of the founders of Domus Academy, a design school in Milan. Recognizing the significance of an investment in teaching youth is an essential component when considering the future of design, as the dependency is on the young people who are influencing the direction of where market trends are heading.

Currently, there is another Design Library open in Shanghai; Castelli has a goal of at least ten of these libraries in the world.  Having more of these establishments will gather all the knowledge of a design culture together in a communal area; creating a space for learning and networking between both generations.

- Justine, Remi, Carmen

Expanding the Design Community

Design Library, Milan - Thursday, June 9th, 2011

The Design Library in Milan is a valuable resource for young designers who wish to feed their curious minds. Current and past issues of magazines, books and articles related to design are all available for the public to peruse here. As well, weekly lectures gather people with common interests to discuss different design topics. This venue offers so much to the design community, it's no surprise that it's current director wishes to expand this network globally.

History of MUST

Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, Milan - Thursday, June 9th, 2011



The Leonardo da Vinci National Science and Technology Museum was founded in 1947, and is the most popular museum in Milan. When combined, the Main Building, Rail Transport Building and Air & Water Transportation covers a total area of 40, 000 square meters, with 28 different sections and over 15,000 individual pieces.

The most important of the 3 buildings is the one built on top of the Olivetan Monastery. The history of the building is as follows:

392 – Emperor Valentinian II died, and was placed in a mausoleum which is now beneath the present museum. A church and monastery called San Vittore al Corpo grew around this mausoleum.
1010 – The complex had major restoration work done by Benedictine Monks
1560 – It became one of Milan’ss most elaborately decoareted churches after it was restored again.
16th + 17th Century - Girolamo Quadrio, Camillo Procaccini, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino and Daniele Crespi are among the local people who contributed works to the church.

By Amanda Cox, Laura Van Staveren and Anne Charbonneau

Keywords: Design History

A Brief on Domus

Domus Academy, Milan - Thursday, June 9th

In a country blessed with great designs sought by the world, Italy lacked many institutions that formally taught design. The only way to get educated in the field was to do apprenticeships and getting mentored at the design studios of pre-existing designers.

Envisioning “a place where different cultures and experiences would meet”, Maria Grazia Mazzocchi along with other notable figures of the design world of the time, such as Pierre Restany, Alessandro Mendini, Valerio Castelli, Alessandro Guerriero and Andrea Branzi, worked together and founded Domus Academy (DA).

Even at the very beginning, DA was able to attract a very diverse group of students from around the world and still continue to do so today. The institution offers a one year masters program in the fields of design, fashion, architecture, interior design and management. To further enrich the experience of its students, DA has invited more than 500 visiting professors and lecturers some of which include Sottsass, Mendini, Trini Castelli, Santachiara, Starck, Hosoe, Bellini, Castiglioni, Bonetto, Magistretti, and Munari.

Domus Academy offers Master courses in:

Accessories Design

Fashion Design

Design

Interaction Design

Service and Experience Design

Car Design

Business Design

Fashion Management

Interior and Living Design

Urban Vision and Architectural Design

Fashion Styling and Visual Merchandising

Image souce: Domus Academy Brochure 2011

Shannon, Victoria, Calvin