Renato Forti 1923 – 2015

The exhibition “Renato Forti 1923–2015”, curated by Marco Fiorentino, is a critical and documentary tribute to a lesser-known figure in Italian design from the second half of the twentieth century. Both the exhibition and the accompanying catalogue represent an effort in philological and commemorative reconstruction, aiming to renew attention to a designer who remained on the margins of official historiography, yet whose work reveals a remarkable expressive coherence and exceptional design quality. The exhibition showcases a representative selection of furniture, lighting fixtures, design drawings, and environmental sketches, the result of research conducted through a wide range of sources: period documentation, commercial catalogues, photographic archives, auction house records, and materials preserved in the Renato Forti Archive (ARF).

In recent years, Forti's work has been rediscovered by the modern design market, although attributions often remain uncertain or conflicting. In this regard, the ongoing archival systematization has enabled new cross-referencing, also made possible by the discovery of original photographs attributable to the Ballo+Ballo studio, now held at the Photographic Archive of the Municipality of Milan.

The exhibition is arranged chronologically, organized into sections alternating between furniture, lamps, objects, and archival materials. The journey concludes with a selection of environmental sketches that exemplify the integrated design process characteristic of Forti's approach. The exhibition design emphasizes the distinctive elements that make each piece of furniture unique. The exhibition route also includes an interactive area where visitors can engage directly in assembling the iconic F54 bookcase.

The installation was designed by Sara Fontana, an interior designer with international training, who opted for a minimalist and functional solution. She utilized the versatility of sound-absorbing panels by Caimi, the exhibition’s technical partner, to display graphic and photographic materials. The catalogue, featuring texts by Marco Fiorentino and graphic design by the ADI Design Museum, was produced with support from the company ICAS. It also includes a critical essay by Beppe Finessi, one of the first contemporary scholars to recognize the value of Forti’s work.