In these months many events have been postponed to dates still to be defined or completely canceled. However, it is precisely in times of crisis that new ideas and opportunities come, so we have seen more and more virtual events, such as concerts and events related to the world of fashion.
Among the many annual appointments that have turned into online events there was also the Fuorisalone and, within this, the appointments of Design Variations by MoscaPartners. Every year during the Fuorisalone, MoscaPartners invites international guests to propose their vision on themes related to architecture and design through site-specific installations that in recent years have been presented in the magnificent courtyard of Palazzo Litta. Also this year, several events were to start on April 21st with the presentation of The Rest Is Silence, the installation signed by architects Manuel and Francisco Aires Mateus from Studio Aires Mateus.
But all is not yet lost, in fact, if the Salone del Mobile has been officially cancelled, the Fuorisalone resists and will live in a virtual way from June 16 to 21, days during which you can participate in a series of online appointments and you can virtually see some works.
Among these is The Rest Is Silence, one of those installations that perfectly reflect what we are living and that invites us to a moment of contemplation and peace.
We are in a moment in which we need to reflect, to “think” rather than “do”.
The courtyard of Palazzo Litta will be completely covered by a stretch of water that will endlessly reflect the beauty of the 17th century palace and that will be visible only by turning around. With The Rest Is Silence the two architects of Studio Aires Mateus give a concrete solution to the need to stop and contemplate what already exists, without having to create something new at all costs.
Ma sedendo e mirando, interminati
Spazi di là da quella, e sovrumani
Silenzi, e profondissima quiete
Io nel pensier mi fingo;
G. Leopardi, da L’Infinito, 1819, vv.4-7
Manuel and Francisco Aires Mateus’ idea takes its cue from Leopardi’s verses, trying to create a visual and intellectual silence that inevitably refers to the superhuman silences (sovrumani silenzi) and the very deep quietness (profondissima quiete) of which the poet speaks.
