Milan Hosts “Achille and Bruno, Free to Play” Exhibition
Milan, May 29, 2026 – The Fondazione Achille Castiglioni in Milan has inaugurated a new exhibition titled “Achille and Bruno, free to play,” which delves into the creative dialogue between two titans of 20th-century Italian design, Achille Castiglioni and Bruno Munari. Curated by Marco Marzini, the exhibition will be open to the public from May 29, 2026, to February 16, 2027.
The exhibition aims to highlight the methodological affinities, design sensibilities, and shared penchant for experimentation that characterized both Castiglioni and Munari. Through a rich collection of objects, games, photographs, and archival materials, the display traces the profound relationship between these two influential designers, emphasizing their shared philosophy of design as a tool for knowledge, driven by curiosity, observation of everyday life, and a constant engagement with the concept of play.
A Deep Dive into Creative Play
The genesis of “Achille and Bruno, free to play” lies in extensive research conducted within the archives of the Fondazione Achille Castiglioni and Casa Castiglioni. This research brings to the forefront the dimension of lightness and imaginative freedom that permeates Achille Castiglioni’s entire body of work.
For Bruno Munari, play was a fundamental educational and creative device, designed to stimulate imagination, foster autonomy, and encourage free thought. In contrast, for Achille Castiglioni, play served as a method for observing reality-a design practice that allowed him to glean insights and transform ordinary objects into new narrative and functional possibilities.
This exhibition builds upon the conceptual foundation of the previous project, “Gioco e progetto, project is game,” further elaborating on the idea of design as an authentic metaphor for play. This principle was central to both designers, who shared an approach rooted in continuous experimentation, unexpected associations, and a relentless pursuit of new ideas.
An Immersive Journey Through Thematic Nuclei
Visitors to “Achille and Bruno, free to play” will embark on a journey that portrays Achille Castiglioni and Bruno Munari as tireless explorers of reality. They possessed an ironic and curious gaze that culminated in a creative process where play seamlessly transitioned into design, and design, in turn, constantly reverted to play.
The exhibition is thoughtfully organized into several thematic nuclei, each dedicated to a specific aspect of their work. These include light, natural forms, words, everyday objects, and folding structures.
In the Lights and Shadows section, the public is invited to engage directly with projections, reflections, and optical interferences. This interactive experience is facilitated by three Rocket Ferrania projectors, originally designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1960 and now converted with LED sources. Bruno Munari’s Direct Projections and a dedicated photocopier for xerography further transform this environment into an immersive and participatory space.
The section titled La forma naturale showcases a collection of organic objects and industrial waste that once belonged to the two designers. These small fragments of reality are intended to generate unexpected associations and prompt reflections on the intricate relationship between form, function, and imagination.
La forma delle parole explores the theme of the graphic sign, typography, and visual composition, highlighting their innovative approaches to communication. Meanwhile, Queste non son tutte offers an ironic commentary on the production of seating. This section features a selection of chairs designed by the Castiglioni brothers, presented alongside a deliberately uncomfortable armchair-an experimental piece designed to explore new postures and modes of use.
Beyond these core themes, the exhibition also addresses the motif of the mask and facial expression, the poetic reinterpretation of everyday objects through unexpected juxtapositions, and the theme of folding structures. These structures are conceived according to principles of formal essentiality and constructive intelligence, demonstrating their mastery in creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing designs.
More than just a conventional design exhibition, “Achille and Bruno, free to play” is a complex yet lighthearted investigation into creative thinking, the importance of observation, and the inherent ability of a project to emerge, time and again, from the uninhibited act of play.
Source: Fondazione Achille Castiglioni, Whoopsee.it
