From Italy to France and even China, 2025 promises a host of design and architecture exhibitions that blend memory, innovation, and emotional depth. These ten selected exhibitions offer opportunities to explore themes of human experience, time, and space through diverse artistic and architectural expressions.
Andrea Branzi, a legendary designer and architect, is celebrated in Civilisations without jewels have never existed. Curated by Alessio de' Navasques, this exhibition at Corso Como Galleria in Milan showcases Branzi's intricate creations in gold, silver, and wood. His works, including the Silver & Gold and Silver & Wood series, frame the human body in naturalistic landscapes, reflecting the mystical significance of ornamentation. The exhibition runs until 16 February 2025.
The monumental installation Pastorale in Milan's Sala delle Cariatidi delves into the interplay between humanity and nature. Inspired by the venue's history, including its near destruction during World War II, the exhibition links personal and collective memories. Extending across the city, it features sculptures, installations, and performances, running until 2 June 2025 at Palazzo Reale.
Jordan Watson's Easier to Breathe, presented at the Protestant Church of St. Moritz, explores joy and connectivity through Afrofuturist art. Known for his platform "Love Watts", Watson's works celebrate the potential of the black community. This exhibition runs from 30 January to 6 March 2025.
A retrospective of Italian photographer Letizia Battaglia at the Château de Tours in France showcases 200 vintage and modern prints. Battaglia's images reflect her dedication to documenting the harsh realities of life, including her fight against the mafia. The exhibition, curated by Walter Guadagnini, will return to Italy in 2026 after closing on 18 May 2025.
At the Ennova Art Museum Langfang in China, Machine Hallucinations: LNM – Coral presents digital coral sculptures generated from vast seabed imagery. The works highlight ecological fragility, inviting reflection on humanity's relationship with the ocean. Created by Turkish-American artist Refik Anadol, the exhibition runs until 7 May 2025.
Maurizio Cattelan curates Sunday at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, a retrospective exploring leisure and its societal implications. Works from André Breton and Marcel Duchamp, alongside voguing performances, provide a multifaceted look at the enigmatic nature of Sunday. The exhibition runs from 8 May 2025 to 2 February 2027.
Italia in movimento, curated by Pippo Ciorra and Angela Parente at Rome's MAXXI, commemorates a century of Italy's motorways. Through photographs, maps, and archival material, the exhibition examines how motorways have shaped Italian landscapes and culture. Visitors can experience this historical journey until 2 February 2025.
Genoa's Memoriale 14 Agosto 2018 by Stefano Boeri Architetti honours the 43 victims of the Morandi Bridge collapse. This meditative space combines video, personal testimonies, and part of the bridge's rubble to create an intimate narrative of remembrance. The adjacent Bioclimatic Greenhouse symbolises resilience and renewal.
At Triennale Milano, Franco Raggi. Pensieri instabili celebrates the diverse work of the Italian designer and architect. Curated by Francesca Pellicciari and Marco Sammicheli, the exhibition incorporates textiles and architectural contrasts to reflect Raggi's artistic legacy. The exhibition is open from 7 February to 13 April 2025.
Finally, Io contengo moltitudini by Marinella Senatore transforms Rome's Rebibbia prison square into a vibrant installation of light and hope. Co-created with inmates and the community, the work evokes Southern Italian traditions and promotes collective expression. It will remain visible until mid-February 2025.
These exhibitions exemplify the intersection of creativity and culture, offering fresh perspectives on design, architecture, and the human experience.
More information:
Salone del Mobile.Milano
www.salonemilano.it