As part of Milan Design Week 2026, Gilda&Co—a Milanese space dedicated to Italian design—presents “SPLENDIDO SPLENDENTE. Gli oggetti metallici si riflettono”, an exhibition centered on the luminous language of metal. From chrome and silver finishes to stainless steel and glazed ceramic, the selected materials emerge through form, surface treatment, and the design culture of the second half of the twentieth century—with works by authors including Albini, Alessi, Azucena, Casé, Londi, Mangiarotti, Mari, Munari, Sabattini, Vigo, and many others.
Curated by Manolo De Giorgi, with exhibition design and artistic direction by Alessandro Pedretti, the show brings together lamps, furniture, accessories, and objects—pieces that have helped shape the visual and conceptual coordinates of modern design.
The exhibition draws attention to reflected light—the particular luminosity produced and returned by materials such as chrome, steel, silver, and mirrored glass. It is not only a question of “shining”: the works stage a continuous interplay of references between surfaces and surroundings, creating an effect that—thanks to different compositions and chemical dosages—can resemble a form of phosphorescence even in low-light conditions.
In this sense, metal becomes an active presence rather than a mere finish: it generates visual rhythm, depth, and movement, transforming the gallery into a space that changes throughout the day.
Alessandro Pedretti’s installation translates this idea into physical relationships between materials and finishes. The close proximity between the satin-finished alpacca of a tray by Bruno Munari and the polished stainless steel of an Enzo Mari paper holder creates, alongside the juxtaposition of a silver-toned piece by Lino Sabattini and a chrome-plated steel ashtray by Ico Parisi, a set of refractions ready to change and “trade places” as the day progresses—like a natural dimmer that gradually illuminates the gallery.
The exhibition also aligns with Gilda&Co’s broader mission. Founded in 2024 from the experience of Daniele Lorenzon and Compasso (a Milanese showroom with 800 sqm of space, active for over 20 years in exploring the best of 20th-century design), the gallery aims to propose new stories, visions, and perspectives through temporary exhibitions. Alongside design objects, it also presents works of art, documents, and photographs, inviting guest curators, critics, designers, artists, and creatives from around the world.
Photo credits: Milan Design Week 2026, Gilda&Co
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