Nina Yashar is without question Milan’s top design dealer and her Nilufar Gallery in Via della Spiga has pulsed as the epicentre of achingly expensive mid-century gems and the hottest contemporary designs for the last 2 decades. Wen Milan Design Week 2016 arrives,  Nilufar gallery will be one of most visited showrooms at Milan.

Born in Teheran 58 years ago, Nina Yashar moves to Milan with her family in 1963. She studies History of Art in Venice and since very young she starts collaborating with her father, wholesaler of old, contemporary and modern rugs. She combines french 18th century carpets with pieces by Prouvé and Perriand, the tables and chairs of Gio Ponti and Carlo Mollino, the colours of Sottsass, the sketches of Fornasetti, up to the totems of Bethan Laura Wood and the works of Martino Gamper. Many are the collaborations with art dealers, designers and contemporary artists. Curator of exhibitions and catalogues, event planner, gallerist, she is the undisputed leader among art dealers.

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Nina Yashar’s work can be summarised in the concept of Crossings – title of two Nilufar exhibitions in 1999 and in 2000. A game of decomposition and re-composition like in a kaleidoscope. An aesthetic based on an open attitude, that does not care about labels and manages to combine different cultures and historical moments generating new visions that show the dealer’s flair.

Nina Yashar quoted speech

“I think Milan is living a moment of great evolution also thanks to places like the Fondazione Prada, probably today’s most important artistic and cultural hub of the city. I think we are living a sort of ferment, like a new Renaissance. I feel a strong attachment to this city and that’s why I am happy to see Milan enlivened by such a huge transformation and ferment. From Expo onwards, I noticed that everyone is taking action to improve themselves and offer new things first to the citizens and then to all the city’s future visitors. I think the Fuorisalone is one of the most important initiatives allowing to involve a lot of people. A great strength is the synergies and collaborations taking place on this occasion: a good starting point to generate new relationships and creative and innovative projects enriching their makers as well as their users.”

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“I do believe that also this year the Milan Design Week will be able to offer something new and original and not just reworks. Between the Salone and the Fuorisalone I definitely choose the latter! I always suggest to select the events carefully, choosing the few good ones to enjoy them better and have fun. At the Salone I learnt that it’s important to make a selection of the must-see places, as the range of new things offered is huge and the Salone is often used to exhibit projects that would otherwise not be exposed. It is essential to train the eye so that it doesn’t get confused by the large number of proposals. The unmissable events of the 2016 Design Week? Obvioulsy the Nilufar – Brazilian Design exhibition at the Nilufar gallery in via della Spiga 32”.

Designed by Milan-based architect Massimiliano Locatelli (whose furniture she has frequently been shown in her Via della Spiga gallery), the interior configuration was inspired by Milan’s famous Teatro alla Scala. A central cement floored atrium is surrounded by three storeys of black metal balconies in which small furniture scenes are illuminated by neon lights designed by Marco Rizzuto.

So….Things to do in Milan through Fuorisalone 2016?

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