materia 2019, the independent design festival returns for its 4th edition in southern italy

following the success of its past three editions, the materia independent design festival returns for its fourth edition taking place on the 19th-22nd of september, 2019. the event, which will occupy the historic site of the monumental complex of san giovanni, in catanzaro, italy, has been created and organized by officine AD and is under the artistic direction of calabrian designer antonio aricò.

images courtesy of materia, photos by alfredo muscatello

for four days, materia 2019 will present pieces that have one thing in common: the mediterranean identity — something that is capable of evoking imaginaries that go beyond production and manufacturing and that are closer to the theme of memory and experience.

for àrico — materia’s artistic director — today’s meaning of design is more ample, it’s just not about the objects but includes memory and experience among others. ‘we no longer talk about objects but about worlds and imaginaries,’ he comments. ‘the artefacts are no longer the real protagonists, but are just tools that allow us to evoke and materialize broader themes.’

materia 2019 will explore themes like folklore, mediterranean culture and the vernacular through installations and performances that aim to outline and reinforce the work of young independent designers. ‘with this edition we will focus on reflections related to the word design that want to get away from the world of product fairs, to focus more on fun, communicative operations that aim to tell the charm of a place — in this case calabria — that has the need and duty to draw from its identity culture, one that risks becoming invisible to everyone,’ says antonio aricò.

the event will place calabria’s capital catanzaro at center stage, allowing visitors to get a glimpse into its culture and beauty, by involving other identity places like the sea and the streets of the historic center. materia 2019 will be a women’s edition, considering the important sign that they are leading in contemporary italian design. among them visitors will find valentina fontana castiglioni, sara ricciardi, and astrid luglio.