The eighth edition of Operæ. Independent design fair, the fair dedicated to independent and collectable design will be held from 3 to 5 November at Lingotto, Turin. Articulate and ambitious, Operæ is the occasion to discover and purchase innovative objects. The occasion to observe, understand and assess the current status of contemporary independent design.

Eight years ago Operæ was born from the desire to develop an in-depth research in the field of independent design and to create a temporary space dedicated to the most interesting outcomes of the international design scene. Operæ has observed throughout the years the transformation of the term “independent”, reflecting on the growth of this sector in constant evolution, noticing the changes in the production and distribution methods, witnessing the rise of new protagonists in the profession and of those mixed disciplines that were once distant.

The founders of Operæ, Sara Fortunati and Paola Zini, invite as a curator Alice Stori Liechtenstein, founder of Schloss Hollenegg for Design, that has chosen Why Design as the title for this edition of the fair. More of a statement than a question: design as a lens through which to read contemporary society. Operæ brings attention to design that is a powerful expression of contemporary values, designers that make bold statements, objects that have the potential of becoming ambassadors of our time.

Fair, curatorial project and privileged observatory, Operæ brings to the centre of its own enquiry exclusively contemporary special editions and unique pieces through a selection of Designers and Design Galleries. With two different sections, it provides with a snapshot of the international scene, presenting the creators of the collections alongside those that promote them, support their development and aid their circulation into the world of collectable design. This format – unique in its genre – brings together two subjects that complement each other, nurturing on one hand relationships and new business opportunities among the exhibitors, and on the other, fostering the research of the collectors, the public’s interest and the scouting by companies that search within Operæ for new talents and a view to future trends.

Staged in parallel, the new manufacturing paradigm unfolds with the project PHM | Piemonte Handmade – achieved with the support of the Productive Activities Department of Regione Piemonte – that acting as a magnifying glass enables the discovery of the alchemy that is generated from the threefold collaboration between designer, gallerist and artisan. The virtuous bond of complementary competencies and abilities of ten galleries, ten designers chosen by them and ten artisans – winners of a call made by Regione Piemonte – delivers the creation of precious and unique objects. An exhibition within the fair that speaks about the rediscovery of materials and technics, the capability of interpreting and innovating, and unveils the complicity born at the craftsman’s workshop. This results in a production of ten unique objects. Not prototypes but finished pieces, ready to be bought, used and loved, presented at Operæ.

Within the complex universe of independent design, the topic of fashion research has numerous affinities with the journey of Operæ over the last few years. While answering to the different logics within the market, independent design and fashion share a strong tendency towards project research and productive experimentation. Free to explore materiality, develop new formal outcomes, adopt cutting-edge technologies, they both create innovative objects, often in limited editions and in collaboration with expert artisans.

Operæ thus projects a gleam to the world of independent fashion, hosting this edition the project Dreamers 02 – Projects and visions of contemporary fashion, curated by Barbara Casalaspro and Ludovica Gallo Orsi, achieved with the support of the Culture and Tourism department of Regione Piemonte. The theme for this second edition is Future Memories, which explores independent and fashion research through a path that fuses exhibition, sale and knowledge.

The exploration in the world of independent design is enriched thanks to the support of Compagnia di San Paolo with a broad Cultural Calendar of talks, workshops and performances.The presence of the professionals of the sector stimulates the discussion between the different speakers and triggers critical analysis and constructive debate. Ranging from designers Pietro Russo and Marcantonio Brandolini d’Adda, economists Guido Guerzoni and Stefano Micelli, Maria Pia Incutti president of the Fondazione Plart, Roberta Meloni founder of the Centro Studi Poltronova, Lilli Hollein director of Vienna Design Week, Christopher Turner keeper of the design and architecture department of the V&A, entrepreneurs Loreto Di Rienzo and Daniela Fantini, teachers Paolo Ferrarini and Achille Filipponi, the commissioner for archeology, fine arts and landscape heritage for the Metropolitan City of TurinLuisa Papotti, Luisa Bocchietto the president of the WDO and the designers Sonia Speciale and Cristina Tardito.

Underlining the commitment to the discussion about research and the marketplace that distinguishes Operæ, the event is complemented with the Business Meeting Programme. After 300 successful meetings in the past edition, this year the meetings programme B2B grows within the fair, increasing its portfolio and diversifying the typologies of the economic stakeholders involved. The agenda put in contact the different actors in the sector: the exhibiting galleries and designers, local designers and architects, a curated selection of Italian companies, international and Italian hotels, Piedmontese artisans, fostering partnerships, talent-scouting and new business opportunities.

The ToDesign Meetings in particular –organized by the Chamber of commerce of Turin – encourage the meetings between designers, gallerists and architects with Italian and international hotels, which has been made possible thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network.

For the 2017 edition a focus on the sector of the hôtellerie – design and boutique hotels -has been developed, a segment of the hospitality sector that is experiencing a moment of an exceptional vitality.

Essential to this growth is the awareness and the care for creating hybrid environments, commercial but at the same time refined. Design, that is not only known as the generator of innovative objects and collectable pieces but also of unique and personalised settings.

Moreover, thanks to the support of Regione Piemonte, a section of the business meeting programme is dedicated to craftsmanship. Taking part of the meetings are the artisans winners of the call for the PHM | Piemonte Handmade project, together with a selection of other ten artisans from the region, offering to the participants the possibilities of trigger new collaborations with designers, design galleries and architects of the territory – the latter chosen by Fondazione per l’architettura / Torino.

Operæ offers the opportunity to see the MARCA collection, a result of the union between designers and Turinese manufacturing companies, promoted and supported by the Chamber of commerce of Turin in collaboration with Centro Estero per l’Internazionalizzazione (Ceipiemonte) and curated by Barbara Brondi & Marco Rainò.

Exhibited in the fair will be the prototypes of the 10 best works selected between 20 manufactures, services or processes of the group of artisans / PMI, designers and makers that have participated in LAB3, the project by Chamber of commerce of Turin, TURN, FabLab Torino.