Integrating acoustics and architecture has always been Slalom’s mission: an approach that naturally leads the brand to develop each project collaboratively, intertwining different skills, experiences, disciplines and sensibilities. This mindset, deeply rooted in Slalom’s DNA, has in recent years organically expanded into a dialogue with the art world, a path also nurtured by a long-standing collaboration with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.
With the exhibition “Material Dialogues”, Slalom invites visitors to discover another facet of its research: a narrative that connects enterprise and art, opening a space for reflection on the value of collaboration as a creative and cultural practice. From now on, Slalom’s via Rossini showroom will serve as a venue for encounters and conversations on the themes of multidisciplinary creativity and the crossovers between disciplines.
Art directed by Studiolatte, the project unfolds through photographic images reminiscent of a gallery: a museum-like setting where the craftsmanship of Slalom’s acoustic solutions enters into dialogue and intertwines with the ceramic works of a group of young Milan-based artists. The photographs, shot by Gianluca Bellomo, are displayed alongside the very artworks depicted in them, in an installation specially designed by Studiolatte for the spaces of Casa Slalom Acoustics.
«Following our collaboration with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, we chose to explore new approaches to interior design, going beyond our traditional contract and hospitality practice», explains Elettra de Pellegrin, founder of Slalom.
On one side, the technical and decorative sound-absorbing panels stand out, created using innovative technologies such as thermoforming; on the other, the tailor-made walls, hand-shaped by expert craftsmen, combine manual skill with the precision of mass production. The presence of the ceramic works generates a material dialogue: solidity and roughness intertwine with the sheen of the ceramics and the formal purity of the Slalom’s panels. In this context, the acoustic products themselves become freestanding sculptures or wall installations, assuming the role of works of art. A subtle balance emerges, where colors blur the boundaries between design and art: the product is not merely a functional backdrop for acoustic comfort, but a protagonist in a continuous exchange of perceptions.
«Our goal is to offer a new vision of materials. With styling by Dedabo Studio and artistic direction by Studiolatte, we envisioned a space where art and design converge, dissolving the boundary between product and artwork. Ceramic, with its tactility and versatility, proved to be an ideal material to complement the sound-absorbing panels, preserving their technical and decorative functionality while expanding their chromatic and material possibilities. To infuse the project with freshness and relevance, we chose to collaborate with young emerging artists, protagonists of the Milanese and international scene», explains de Pellegrin.
The exhibition “Material Dialogues” opened on September 24 with a talk featuring an exceptional panel: Karole P. B. Vail (Director, Peggy Guggenheim Collection) and Caroline Corbetta (independent curator and journalist, founder of @ilcrepaccio), moderated by Annalisa Rosso (co-founder of Mr. Lawrence, Editorial Director, and Cultural Events Advisor for the Salone del Mobile). The discussion—inspired by the upcoming fall exhibition “Mani-fattura: The Ceramics of Lucio Fontana” at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice offered an in-depth look at the themes of craftsmanship, experimentation, the dialogue between artistic languages and design, and the role of patronage.
«Discovering this place thanks to Slalom was truly exciting: a space that, from the very beginning, was meant to host artists, galleries, architects and creatives. In my eternal battle with words, I believe the term ‘creative’ should be reconsidered and rethought now more than ever. Most importantly, we are here to talk about encounters—of people, of materials, and of perspectives. I believe that by approaching things different from ourselves, we can always find inspiration and discover something new» — Annalisa Rosso
«Peggy Guggenheim Collection has been collaborating with companies for over thirty-five years. We believe that very fruitful collaborations and dialogues can emerge between culture and the corporate world, allowing both to benefit greatly from each other’s knowledge and passions. Among the values we share with our partner companies are sustainability, genuine collaboration, and the possibility of creating encounters like this one. Companies that support us are somewhat like patrons—they believe in what we do and help us develop exhibitions and projects. To be a true patron, one must dedicate oneself to the artists and truly care for them; think less about one’s own collection and show the generosity to let artists work in peace» — Karole P. B. Vail
«From Arts and Crafts to Marcel Duchamp, from 90s relational aesthetics to today’s renewed focus on matter in artists’ works such as Nathalie Djurberg, Thomas Braida or Emiliano Maggi, the dialogue between arts, design, and crafts has constantly evolved. In recent years, I have witnessed a return to painting and sculpture—a direct engagement with materials in which the artist takes on the responsibility of working with them and transforming them into a work of art. Design, art, and craftsmanship are increasingly intertwined. Today more than ever, we need more spaces like this in Milan and elsewhere— where diverse minds meet, create, and work side by side beyond labels» — Caroline Corbetta
