SALONE SATELLITE - 25 YEARS OF CREATIVITY AND CONNECTIONS
To mark the 25th anniversary of SaloneSatellite, the most important event dedicated to supporting and promoting young designers, we spoke with Marva Griffin, founder and curator of the exhibition, a key figure in contemporary design whose outstanding contribution was recognised and awarded in 2014 with the Compasso d’Oro XXIII alla Carriera.
LD: What is your most vivid memory from these 25 years of SaloneSatellite?
MV: There are many memories. It all started 25 years ago, and during this time a great many stories have accumulated, and many designers have established themselves in this profession. There are many designers who started their careers at SaloneSatellite, and now they are all over the world and have become very well known. So many companies want to work with them, their products are in the catalogues of these companies, and some of their pieces are today exhibited in museums. So this is a huge memory that I have, and I am very happy for all these young designers. So, the most important thing, the one that makes me happiest, is that the objective of supporting young designers who wanted to be at Salone del Mobile has been achieved. In 1998, there were no fairs, institutions or organisations taking care of and supporting young designers, and there was a real need for this. After 25 years, this objective has been achieved. It is like a dream come true.
LD: From the outside, it seems that you have found your path, your mission in life. Do you feel that SaloneSatellite was your mission?
MV: You see, I do not know if SaloneSatellite was my mission. I cannot say that. At the beginning of this journey I was a journalist, and I always wanted to see what young people were creating; I was very curious to learn more about their work.
I became aware of their needs through my contact with young creators, and I clearly saw that they needed a space to present their work. Just like today, 25 years ago, young designers wanted innovation and creativity to be seen by exhibitors, companies, and manufacturers.
Because of my connection with Salone del Mobile, they asked me to help them find a solution to bring their projects into the fair. At that time, some of them—those who could afford it—were renting spaces in the city of Milan, but no one came to see them.
They asked for my support, so I spoke with the management of Salone del Mobile and, in the end, I received the answer: “Marva, we have a space. See what you can do to bring the young designers into Salone.” So that was the story.
LD: What have you learned about yourself during this time spent alongside young designers?
MV: A lot. It was mutually beneficial, because I have always been interested in young people, and for me it was very important to work with and follow young creatives. I learned from them as much as I could.
Interview by Andreea Dicianu
Discover the full version of this interview in Volume III.