(27 February 2017) On the occasion of the 1st Italian Design Day sponsored by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Beirut in collaboration with the Kaslik Saint Esprit University, the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade and the Debbas Cesar & Fils Gallery are organising two conferences lead by Professor Carlo Forcolini, the former vice-president of the European Institute of Design and current Scientific Director of Raffles Milan. The first is "Capire il Design Italiano / Understanding Italian Design" at USEK - Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts in the Jean El Hawa Auditorium between 14:30 and 16:30. The second "Carlo Forcolini, designer tra sogno e realtà / Carlo Forcolini, designer between dream and reality - Debbas Showroom, Corniche du Fleuve from 18:00 to 20:00. On the same day, 100 "ambassadors" of Italian culture (designers, entrepreneurs, journalists, critics, communicators, teachers ...) illustrate the concept of excellence in 100 different locations around the world. A committee set up by the Ministry, in collaboration with the Triennale Design Museum has selected the Italian designer Carlo Forcolini, for Beirut. (9Colonne)

FORCOLINI’S CARREER

Throughout his prolific career, Forcolini has created numerous pieces of furniture and lighting. Shortly after graduating from the Fine Arts Academy of Brera, he began working with the Castiglioni brothers and subsequently with Vico Magistretti for fifteen years – one of the masters of Italian design. As a designer and entrepreneur, he founded Alias and Nemo and has designed for Artemide, Cassina, De Padova, Pomellato, Zumtobel and many others. He was National President of ADI – the historical association representing the Italian design system of manufacturers, designers, journalists, critics and distributors.