Today is already tomorrow, 1949-2006
The innovations of Caimi Brevetti
Curators Aldo Colonetti, Franco Origoni
Triennale di Milano, 5-10th April 2006
The exhibition “Oggi è già domani 1949-2006 Le innovazioni di Caimi Brevetti” (Today is already tomorrow 1949-2006 The innovations by Caimi Brevetti), has been on display at Triennale in Milan in April and has met a great success, testified by thousands of visitors attracted both by the “historical” products by Caimi Brevetti, now part of our common memory – as “la schiscetta” food container, “duplex” pot, “dondolino” and “universal” ashtrays – and by a wide selection of the contemporary products, complete with an impressive didactic setting, integrating original patents and technical drawings, manufacturing tools and parts etc. The exhibition, supervised by Aldo Colonetti and Franco Origoni, has shown the entire process for each product, from the original idea to the final production stage: a story of innovations, inventions and research, a method for “design-making”.
Generally, design objects on display declare their forms, beauty and colors, but their function remains hidden. The Caimi Brevetti exhibition has chosen an approach of “showing”. Designs, prototypes, patents and production processes, from the original idea to the realization of the product, that can be touched and whose key concept can be revealed.
Caimi Brevetti grew with the firm belief in the products that it set about making. It developed a design’s idea through to its realization. Keeping an eye on quality, the company often sought out, found and used materials that could not be gotten in Italy. It aimed to produce as well as to “show” and define the product in the large distribution sales point. It made packaging, graphic designs and invented names and brands.
This history of innovation revolves around the figure of Renato Caimi. Today it continues with his four children and intelligent partners, with a workshop that operates in differentiated fields of production. The exhibition mirrors this vision of “making design”.
(Franco Origoni Exhibition curator)