Modernist artistry in weaving by Anni Albers brings a captivating 2-for-1 exhibition to Milan
News Article: Dedar and the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation Unveil "Weaving Anni Albers" Exhibit at Torre Velasca
During Milan Design Week 2025, Dedar and the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation presented the "Weaving Anni Albers" project, a captivating textile tribute honouring the artistic legacy of Anni Albers. This exhibition took place at the iconic Torre Velasca, a modernist architectural landmark in the heart of Milan.
The collaboration between Dedar and the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation is a testament to both parties' dedication to artistic and material excellence. The exhibition showcased textured fabrics inspired by Anni Albers’s work, with the Foundation's involvement ensuring an authentic representation of the artist’s heritage.
The fabrics launched during the event were based on Albers' 'pictorial weavings', a blend of old and new techniques that creates a dense, multi-dimensional weave. The materials used in these fabrics include wool, cotton, jute, viscose, acrylic, and polyester, a mix that reflects Dedar's commitment to exploring different materials in their research endeavours.
The reinterpretation of Anni Albers' textures, colours, and forms originally intended for hand weaving presented a challenge to Dedar's textile expertise. However, the result is a collection of powerful and mesmerizing fabrics suitable for various interior spaces, including upholstery, curtains, panels, and textile elements for interior design.
Caterina and Raffaele Fabrizio, CEO and creative director of Dedar, expressed their excitement about the project, stating, "Art gives us courage, and every new research endeavor expands our knowledge." They further emphasized that the exploration of Anni Albers' work and her way of thinking required open-mindedness in creative terms.
Torre Velasca, completed in 1959, was designed by BBPR, which includes Ernesto Nathan Rogers, a relative of Richard Rogers. Known for its characteristic mushroom-like outline, the tower offers a 20th-century interpretation of Lombardy region's medieval castles. Once controversial for its unusual shape, Torre Velasca is now a prominent architectural landmark in Milan.
The "Weaving Anni Albers" exhibit is free to visit for the duration of Milan's annual design festival (until 13 April). This event serves not only as a tribute to Albers’s textile art but also as a contemporary design statement by Dedar. The project involves a dialogue with Anni Albers' way of thinking, inspired by the maestro Paul Klee, making it a unique and inspiring addition to Milan Design Week 2025.
[1] Dedar and the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation Collaborate for Milan Design Week 2025. (2025, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.dedar.it/news/dedar-and-the-josef-anni-albers-foundation-collaborate-for-milan-design-week-2025
[2] Weaving Anni Albers: A Textile Tribute at Torre Velasca. (2025, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.josefalbersfoundation.org/news/weaving-anni-albers-a-textile-tribute-at-torre-velasca
[5] Milan Design Week 2025: Celebrating Fabric, Form, and Collaboration. (2025, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.milandesignweek.com/news/milan-design-week-2025-celebrating-fabric-form-and-collaboration
The collaboration between Dedar and the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation is not confined to the realm of exhibitions, but also extends to one's personal space, as the fabrics inspired by Anni Albers' work can be incorporated into a home-and-garden lifestyle, enriching interiors with a blend of art, history, and contemporary design. The "Weaving Anni Albers" exhibit at Torre Velasca is more than just a cultural attraction during Milan Design Week 2025; it's a lifestyle statement that encourages the appreciation of art and design in everyday life.
