In celebration of the inauguration of Palazzo Molteni on Via Manzoni 9, Molteni&C presents Letters to Milan, an evocative installation conceived by Studio Klass, hosted at the Museo Poldi Pezzoli during Milan Design Week 2025. This immersive installation reflects the enduring relationship between Molteni&C and the city of Milan, through a fusion of architecture, art, and design.
Alessandra Quarto, Director of the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, underscores the synergy: 'The connection between the Poldi Pezzoli Museum and design is strong. Ours is a museum of decorative arts, always open to dialogue with design. Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, the founder of the museum, was a sophisticated collector who always paid attention to the artisanal value of objects and the promotion of decorative arts. This collaboration symbolizes the connective power of design, linking the world of art and museums with the everyday lives of each of us.'
The installation spans the museum's courtyard, Orangery, and Armory, unfolding as a metaphor for Milan—where tradition meets innovation, and design reflects the city's layered identity.
'The space welcomes visitors into an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere, suggesting the warmth and elegance of a domestic setting. Here, tradition and innovation merge: a suspended metal mesh plays with transparency and light, defining a fluid boundary between public and private. At the centre, a totem inspired by Milan's architectural essence reflects the skyscraper as an iconic element of the city's skyline and a symbol of its evolution,' explains Studio Klass.
Curated by Vincent Van Duysen, Molteni&C's Creative Director, the 2025 Collection draws inspiration from the archives of the 1970s and 1980s, updated through a contemporary lens. Featured pieces include the Aria desk and Linea armchair by Van Duysen, alongside designs by Christophe Delcourt (such as the Emile sofa, Odile, and Fleur tables) and the Lia armchair by GamFratesi. The reissue of the iconic Monk chair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa further enriches the collection.
The Armory hosts a significant new chapter in the collaboration between Molteni&C and Gio Ponti's Archive, curated by Elisa Ossino, showcasing poetic objects—hands, Etruscan forms, birds, vases—rekindled from Ponti's vision in "beautiful (im)possible" forms.
The installation also features a powerful literary layer curated by Doppiozero, with Umberto Fiori, Federica Fracassi, and Giorgio Fontana lending their voices, channelling reflections on Milan through the words of others. 'Milan is like the tip of an iceberg. Beneath lies its vast history. You can say "Milan, Milan" over and over, you can try writing it again and again,' wrote Aldo Nove in Milano non è Milano.
During the week, the courtyard becomes a forum for exclusive talks on April 9th, 10th and 11th, featuring figures such as Alex Majoli, Tony Chambers, Patrick Tuttofuoco, and Denis Dekovic, offering deeper explorations into creativity and urban design culture.
A poetic tribute, a prayer, an homage—Letters to Milan captures the soul of the city that shaped Molteni&C, and which it continues to celebrate through timeless design.
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