Events
Italian ceramic trends showcased at Maison&Objet 2018 | by Simone Ricci
Italian ceramics will take the spotlight at Maison&Objet, the international exhibition devoted to the world of interior design, decoration and lifestyle to be held in Paris from 19 to 23 January 2018. Promoted by the Italian industrial ceramics association Confindustria Ceramica and organised by the Italian Trade Agency ITA in collaboration with Edi.Cer, the Italian pavilion will give the 23 participating Italian companies the opportunity to meet international designers working in the fields of decoration, interior design and contract furnishing.
Two collective stands (A27-B28 and A35-B36) designed by Ceramics of Italy / ITA and covering a total floor space of 300 m2 in Hall 5B “Actuel” will accommodate the participating companies: Atlas Concorde, Caesar, Casa Dolce Casa, Casalgrande Padana, Ceramica Sant’Agostino, Ceramiche Refin, Cotto d’Este, Edimax Gruppo Beta, Emilgroup, Fap Ceramiche, Fincibec, Floor Gres, Gambini Group, Gigacer, La Fenice, Litokol, Marazzi, Marca Corona, M.I.P.A., Ornamenta, Panaria, Rex and Vallelunga.
The two areas, designed by the firm D&L Donegani e Lauda, will also feature a Ceramics of Italy / ITA info point where visitors can find out more about Italian ceramics and their endless opportunities for use.
For this edition of Maison&Objet, in which Italy is a partner country, ITA has prepared a special programme that emphasises the variety and vitality of Italian design and craftsmanship with the direct involvement of the Italian Embassy in Paris. With this in mind, this year’s conference programme entitled Rising Talents Awards Italy is hosting 6 Italian designers representing the up-and-coming generation.
Italian ceramics will also take centre stage at two institutional meetings. In the first, Confindustria Ceramica Director General Armando Cafiero will be taking part in the exhibition’s inaugural press conference on Friday 19 January at 1:00 pm together with the Italian Ambassador to Paris Giandomenico Magliano, the chairman of ITA Michele Scannavini and the Undersecretary at the Ministry for Economic Development Ivan Scalfarotto. Then on Monday 22 January at 10:30 am in the ITA institutional stand (in the entrance square to Hall 5A), Director General Armando Cafiero will give an overview of the ceramic sector to accredited journalists and international buyers. This will be followed by a guided tour of the ceramic companies taking part in the Ceramics of Italy delegation.
In 2016 France was the second largest export market for the Italian ceramic industry, accounting for 14% of total exports. With a floor space of over 120,000 sq.m, Maison&Objet Paris hosted almost 2,870 exhibitors last year, including 60% from outside France, and was attended by more than 85,000 people. Its eight halls showcase a wide range of products including contemporary and classical interior decoration, accessories, tableware and kitchenware, textiles, and ethno-chic, luxury and design objects.
