MAC Museo d’Arte Contemporanea - Premio Lissone
The 9th edition of the Premio Lissone Design, from June 15 to October 6, 2024, at the MAC – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea in Lissone, turned the city into a dynamic platform for design and dialogue. Curated by Matteo Ghidoni, the event invited eight acclaimed European designers to create site-specific installations that examine design's influence on urban spaces and cultural identity.
These projects begin on MAC’s second floor, where their preparatory stages are exhibited, and culminated in public spaces near the museum and train station. Featured designers include BB, KOSMOS, and LCLA Office, whose works challenge conventional perspectives on urban functionality and aesthetics. Inspired by Ugo La Pietra, this edition emphasizes design's role in shaping collective experiences and enriching community life.
With installations becoming part of MAC’s permanent collection, the initiative strengthens the relationship between citizens and the museum while amplifying Lissone’s cultural relevance.
Gymnasium
BB’s Gymnasium challenges stereotypes of gym culture by rejecting rigid, normative spaces. Installed in Lissone’s public space, the gravity-defying structure avoids 90-degree angles, promoting inclusivity and functionality. Addressing hyper-individualism and clichéd masculinity, it reimagines exercise environments to foster community and balance. The installation interrogates societal pressures toward self-improvement, offering a fresh perspective on public fitness spaces.
L’attesa
Jean-Benoît Vétillard’s L’attesa is a luminous installation that celebrates moments of waiting and reflection. Composed of 24 brushed aluminum segments and LED lighting, it creates a subtle yet profound interplay between light and space. The piece invites viewers to embrace the act of waiting as an integral part of life, turning ordinary pauses into poetic experiences of contemplation and connection.
Lissone Music Light
Johanna Meyer-Grohbrügge’s Lissone Music Light transforms streets into gathering spaces. The Bluetooth-enabled device allows passersby to share music, turning personal soundscapes into collective experiences. Whether sparking a spontaneous party or a quiet moment between strangers, it encourages joyful interaction within public spaces. Inspired by Ugo La Pietra, the project reclaims shared environments for community and expression.
Lampada Lissone
LCLA Office’s Lampada Lissone revitalizes industrial streetlights by pairing them with carefully chosen precious stones. The unique compositions highlight the interplay of functionality and ornamentation, creating new urban identities without standardization. Some elements double as benches or leaning supports, redefining streetlights as multi-purpose objects that celebrate history and simplicity.
Arredare la Città
Louis De Belle’s Arredare la Città transforms mundane urban corners into visually compelling spaces. By introducing carefully arranged furniture and decorations, the project reveals the hidden beauty in everyday environments. Inspired by Ugo La Pietra, this photographic exploration reimagines the aesthetics of shared spaces, encouraging viewers to reconsider the city as an ever-evolving work of art.
Trinta e um desenhos para cinco sarcófagos e um pilar
Nuno Melo Sousa’s poetic installation aligns materials and forms in a rhythmic sequence of possibility. A pillar and five sarcophagi are presented in sculptural balance, playing with the notions of fullness and emptiness. The work invites viewers to consider transformation within stasis, creating an interplay of permanence and imagination.
About Matteo Ghidoni
Matteo Ghidoni, architect and founder of Salottobuono, bridges practice and theory through his work and teaching. A prominent figure in contemporary architecture, he has served as editor for Abitare and artistic director for Domus. His leadership in design and urban research, combined with his tenure at Politecnico di Milano and MIT, shapes the thoughtful curation of Premio Lissone Design.
About MAC – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Lissone
MAC Lissone stands as a cultural cornerstone in Monza and Brianza, hosting contemporary art with deep regional ties. Opened in 2000, the museum showcases the prestigious Premio Lissone collection and fosters innovation through events like Premio Lissone Design. Its rationalist-inspired architecture reflects its commitment to dialogue between history, community, and forward-thinking creativity.
Photography by LOUISE DE BELLE
Words by DONALD GJOKA
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