2.0 Exhibition at the Museo Bagatti Valsecchi, Curated by Rosanna Orlandi // Milan 2013.

I am so excited about sharing this very special treat from my recent trip to Milan Design Week – 2.0 Exhibition at the magnificent Museo Bagatti Valsecchi. Every trip to Milan brings about a new highlight, an unexpected thrill and an experience of pure visual ecstasy. It is in these moments that I find myself either completely lost for words from utter shock, often accompanied by a steady flow of tears, OR swearing profusely as an automatic response to the intensity of my emotions (they don’t call me “Tourette’s Tomic” for nothing). As you can probably guess, visiting this exhibition was one of those moments. But don’t worry, I was most discreet with my swearing, only Husband could hear me properly. I can be very professional when required.

This image and top image – X Marble Chair by Tomáš Libertíny for Henraux.
Images courtesy of Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photos by Tatiana Uzlova.

Golden Calf Armoire and Golden Calf Lamp by Desiree Von Pelt, at the Galleria Delle Armi of Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Golden Calf Armoire by Desiree Von Pelt at the Galleria Delle Armi of Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Various furniture pieces by Enrico Marone Cinzano.
Image courtesy of Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

Pump it up, 2009 by Nacho Carbonell. 
Image courtesy of Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

Stepping into the Museo Bagatti Valsecchi is a real feast for the senses. Tucked between Via Santo Spirito and Via Gesù in the centre of Milan (just off the famous Via Monenapoleone & Via della Spiga), this late 19th-century neo-Renaissance palazzo opened it’s doors as a museum in 1994. Up until then it was the residence of Fausto & Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi – the two brothers of noble descent who were passionate art collectors. Bagatti Valsecchi’s were seeking to recreate a 16th-century palazzo in their own home, where each room was embellished with only the finest finest-quality finishes and furnishings, not to mention numerous works of Renaissance art, Murano glass and Flemish tapestries. In order to preserve the feel of a private home, the museum today refrains from labelling any of the artefacts. Instead, audio guides and information sheets are available on request.

As though this museum wasn’t spectacular enough, the recent intervention by two Ladies takes the experience of visiting Bagatti Valsecchi to a whole new level. The two Ladies in question are patroness Goga Ashkenazi – billionaires, oil-magnate, serial entrepreneur, currently Chairwoman & Creative Director of fashion label Vionnet, and Rossana Orlandi – highly respected art and design curator, who brought together the work of 16 exciting artists and designers.

Floor light by Studio DeForm. 
Image courtesy of Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

Concrete Sofa by James Plumb.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Diffusor Cabinet by Dirk Vander Kooij. 
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Stop-motion video set by Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Niels Hoebers (previously).
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Design Academy Eindhoven graduates Paul Heijnen and Niels Hoebers (previously).
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Design Academy Eindhoven graduates Paul Heijnen and Niels Hoebers (previously).
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Hyperion Light by Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Paul Heijnen (previously).
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

The rooms host artworks from Nacho Carbonell, Front Design, Studio Deform, Paul Heijnen (previously), Niels Hoebers (previously), Tomáš Libertíny, Yukiko Nagai, Frédérique Morrel (previously), Dirk Van Der Kooij, Marten Baas, James Plumb (previously), Martin Smith, President Von Pelt, Enrico Marone Cinzano, Massimiliano Locatelli Cls Architetti, Manuela Crotti and Giampiero Milella.

Basket Mobile and Diversity by Nacho Carbonell. 
Image courtesy of Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

Library Chair by Nacho Carbonell.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

RO taxidermy by Frederique Morrell with Mobile Light by Front above.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Detail of giant RO taxidermy by Frederique Morrell.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Mobile Lamp by Front.
Image courtesy of  Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

The exhibition celebrates a new interpretation of the museum, bridging the Past with the Contemporary spirit. The new artworks and one-off pieces are carefully placed within the rooms- at times it is almost impossible to distinguish which piece is a part of the existing collections, and which is placed there by Orlandi’s golden hand.

Surface Tension Lamp by Front for BOOO. (While you’re here, would you please just look at that amazing ceiling?)
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Surface Tension Lamp by Front for BOOO.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Old furniture pieces covered in intricate mosaic by Yukiko Nagai.
Image courtesy of  Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

Freestanding screen/ room divider by Emanuela Crotti.
Image courtesy of  Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

45 degrees Blue Chandelier by Nacho Carbonell for Vionnet.
Image courtesy of  Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

Museo Bagatti Valsecci also has a permanent design shop set up on the ground floor, accessible from the central courtyard. The clever freestanding steel cage was designed by the local studio CLS Architetti, who are responsible for some Milan’s many beautiful retail spaces. Much like the exhibition, the shop is also curated by Rossana Orlandi carrying a myriad of weird and wonderful things that can also be found in her eponymous Spazio. It’s an absolute stroke of genius.

Standing inside the metal cage of the Design Shop at Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Designed by CLS Architetti.
Image courtesy of  Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

Freestanding metal cage structure of Design Shop at Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Designed by CLS Architetti.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Freestanding metal cage structure of Design Shop at Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Designed by CLS Architetti.
Image courtesy of  Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecci. Photo by Tatiana Uzlova.

View into Design Shop at Museo Bagatti Valsecci.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Auditorium bronze sculpture by Nacho Carbonell in the courtyard of Museo Bagatti Valsecci.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Auditorium bronze sculpture by Nacho Carbonell in the courtyard of Museo Bagatti Valsecci.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Details from the Design Shop at Museo Bagatti Valsecci.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

Details from the Design Shop at Museo Bagatti Valsecci.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

The magnificent 19th-century neo-Renaissance interior of Museo Bagatti Valsecci in Milan.
Photo by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace.

So much beauty in one relatively small space means that I have been faced with my absolutely favourite problem – too many fantastic images to share! Since editing photos and giving you less rather than more has never been my forte, I have included a gallery of image below where you can see more from this unique exhibition and this incredibly beautiful space. Just click one one image and use keyboard to navigate. If you happen to be in Milan in April, this exhibition still runs until the end of this month. Needless to say, you simply must visit if you are around – I cannot recommend it highly enough.

From 9th to 30th April 2013 | Daily from 10.30 to 20.30
Museo Bagatti Valsecchi | Via Santo Spirito 10/ Via Gesù 5,  20122 Milano.

[Photos by Nick Hughes, © Yellowtrace // Tatiana Uzlova courtesy of Spazio Rossana Orlandi/ Museo Bagatti Valsecchi. Image credits as noted.]