The Fuorisalone SpaghettiWall, a design innovation which showcased at Milan Design Week, is a project conceived by Gianpaolo Venier of OTTO Studio and with an artwork contribution by Giorgio Biscaro. The piece, of significant social contribution, was also in support of UNHCR and its MADE51 initiative, whose aim is to enhance the skills and cultural heritage of refugee artisans by creating opportunities for economic autonomy and bringing the craftsmanship and stories of refugees into the world.
Refugee artisans face multiple challenges that limit their ability to sell their products on the market. To facilitate their journey, UNHCR identifies groups of refugees with craft skills and potential and connects these groups with businesses globally. Through MADE51's unique ecosystem model, UNHCR helps artisans' products reach the global market. Today, MADE51 involves around 4 000 artisans in 23 countries, 85% of whom are women.
The installation at the Fuorisalone at Le Stanze incorporated the creativity of a group of Afghan refugee women who have found protection in India and Syrian refugee women in Lebanon.
'We are entrepreneurs, architects, design enthusiasts, but we are first and foremost people, with values and a social responsibility,' says Federica Borgobello, CEO of SpaghettiWall. 'In this sense, we feel that our commitment to SpaghettiWall must necessarily go beyond the decorative theme. With this initiative, we want to make our means available to support the many people who have lost everything due to armed conflicts. Thanks to Gian Paolo Venier and UNHCR, we have the opportunity to do this in the way that is closest to our identity: through colour and visual language.'
The installation also provided an opportunity to raise funds in support of the MADE51 project.
'We are grateful to SpaghettiWall for choosing to support MADE51, an innovative and market-based model to promote the economic inclusion of refugees,' comments Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR representative for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino. With a growth as rapid as it is constant, the number of people fleeing conflict and persecution in the world has exceeded 114 million. Many are forced to abandon their livelihoods in their flight to safety. MADE51 offers refugee artisans the opportunity not only to return to income and thus re-establish their independence, but also to express their talents and utilise their skills, which brings tangible benefits to both them and their host communities.
More information:
Spaghetti Wall
www.spaghettiwall.it