In a celebration of Dutch innovation as part of Salone de Mobile, creativity and craftsmanship, Masterly - The Dutch in Milano has announced its much-awaited eighth edition with the theme, The Good of Tradition, the Beauty of Innovation. As the biggest event dedicated to Dutch design during Milan Design Week, Masterly has become a recurring showcase of the rich landscape of the world's most important design week, captivating art and design enthusiasts from around the globe.

Curated by the visionary Nicole Uniquole, the 2024 edition of Masterly boasts 85 participants, each representing a unique facet of today's design interpretations. From avant-garde furniture design to cutting-edge digital installations, the exhibition promises to showcase Dutch design's diverse and dynamic nature.

Supported by the Embassy and Consulate of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Masterly 2024 marks the second year at the historic Palazzo Giureconsulti, a magnificent building overlooking the iconic Duomo in Milan, Italy. The showcase ingeniously integrates the palace into the visitor experience, merging installations with its halls, drawing inspiration from its architecture, and embracing and amplifying its original details.

Masterly's brand identity, conceived by the Dutch studio Opera Design in collaboration with the curator, mirrors the stylistic features of the palace. From the catalogue to signage and hostesses' uniforms, every element contributes to making the exhibition an enjoyable and immersive experience.

The event is a testament to Dutch design's dynamic evolution, embodying traditional values and cutting-edge innovation. Participants showcase works that transcend buzzwords, translating concepts like innovation, green, sustainability and reuse into tangible and impactful projects.

This convergence is evident across various mediums, including 3D printing, artificial intelligence and materials. Aectual collaborates with Philips MyCreation to present a ground-breaking 3D-printed installation comprising a bar, a pavilion and a lighting project. Independent designer Rollo Studio showcases sculptural lamps created using 3D moulding techniques.

Befitting the current climate of the tech world, artificial intelligence takes centre stage with projects like EveryHuman Algorithmic Perfumery, offering personalised scents based on visitor data. The exploration of materials is equally compelling, with Lucas Zito using recycled PET for light sculptures, Philips MyCreation moulding biomaterial for lamps and Primo Arets crafting chairs from waste wood.

In the Icons Re/Outfitted project by Visionary Lab, iconic brands Vitra and Levi's© collaborate to re-dress and re-interpret historical seats with pre-loved denim. MYCOTEX by NEFFA presents a biomaterial made from mushroom compost, transformed into diverse objects using 3D-moulding machines.

A highlight of Masterly 2024 is the ROOTS exhibition by Simone van Es, which emphasises environmental issues and celebrates the intrinsic beauty of the earth. Artists and designers explore bio-based materials, utilising waste materials like horse manure, algae, mushrooms and more to develop circular solutions.

True to form, like every year the Masterly agenda promises an intense week, including a Conference Room with discussions by the creators of the ROOTS exhibition. The Architects' Talk features Federico Pompignoli of PMP Architecture, promising insights into his extensive architectural projects.

Catawiki, the renowned online auction site, collaborates with Masterly for an exhibition titled Homage, where designers create objects inspired by iconic pieces from Charles Eames and Le Corbusier. Notable designers, including Stefan Scholten, Laurene Guarneri, Mae Engelgeer and Nynke Koster, present their works, which will be auctioned online.

The packed programme concludes with a unique Dutch tradition—the distribution of Orchidee Netherlands specimens to Milanese attendees on April 21, softening the departure with the timeless elegance of Dutch flowers.

Masterly - The Dutch in Milano continues to be a dynamic force, pushing the boundaries of design and bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. As visitors immerse themselves in the curated experiences, the palpable sense of confidence and hope for the future resonates through the projects on display, making Masterly 2024 an unmissable event for art and design enthusiasts worldwide.

Masterly - The Dutch in Milano 2024 will be open from April 16 - 21, 2024.

Stay tuned to STIR's coverage of Milan Design Week 2024 which showcases the best of exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands and events to look out for. Explore EuroCucina and all the design districts—Fuorisalone, 5vie Design Week, Isola Design Week, Brera Design District and Porta Venezia Design District.