Summary:
- Jil Sander and Apartamento open Reference Library for Milan Design Week 2026.
- The installation features 60 books chosen by creators like Simone Bellotti and Ronan Bouroullec.
- The exhibition runs from April 20 to April 24.
Jil Sander and Apartamento magazine open Reference Library for Milan Design Week 2026. The exhibition runs from April 20 to April 24 inside the Jil Sander showroom. The project rejects digital media consumption by presenting a physical reading room. The organizers want visitors to read slowly and interact with print media directly. You step away from your phone screens and enter a quiet environment designed for concentration. The collaboration merges the fashion brand's minimalist aesthetic with the publication's focus on intimate living spaces. The event highlights the continued relevance of printed matter today. You find a space rejecting the constant scrolling characterizing modern life.
The installation features a collection of 60 books. A global group of creators selected these texts. Simone Bellotti, the creative director of Jil Sander, led the curation process alongside the Apartamento editorial team. Bellotti invited friends and regular collaborators to participate in the gathering. French designer Ronan Bouroullec and British designer Jasper Morrison provided their choices. Swiss art curator Hans Ulrich Obrist added his selection to the archive. Swedish musician Lykke Li and filmmaker Celine Song participated in the project. Artists Rirkrit Tiravanija and Faye Toogood also submitted titles. The diverse group ensures the collection covers multiple creative disciplines.
Each contributor chose a single book influencing their career. These texts shaped their professional paths over many years. The chosen titles span architecture, film theory, classic literature, and visual arts. You see the specific editions these individuals read and studied. The curation reveals the personal influences behind major cultural figures working today. The library functions as an archive of reference materials. You examine the printed pages and understand the ideas influencing contemporary design. The organizers provide a direct link between the finished artworks of these creators and their foundational reading materials. You gain insight into their creative processes through their reading habits.
Milanese design agency Studio Utte created the physical interior for the exhibition. The room features mirrored walls reflecting the space infinitely. Chrome lecterns hold the selected books at reading height for optimal viewing. The design removes visual distractions from the room entirely. You look at the printed pages and nothing else. The environment forces concentration on the written word. The metallic surfaces and clean lines match the Jil Sander brand identity perfectly. The agency built a room feeling modern and isolating. The architecture of the space directs your attention downward toward the texts.
Visiting the space requires following strict rules. You must book a specific time to enter the building. The organizers limit entry to 60 hourly slots each day to prevent crowding. You arrive at the showroom and receive white cotton gloves at the door. You wear these gloves to touch the pages safely. The physical handling becomes a specific routine for every guest. The process protects the delicate collection from damage caused by natural oils on human hands. The regulations emphasize the fragility of physical media. You experience reading as a physical action requiring care and attention.
Milan Design Week draws thousands of people to Italy every spring. The city fills with parties and large installations across every neighborhood. Reference Library offers a quiet alternative to the standard festival schedule. You step away from the crowded streets and find silence inside the showroom. The contrast highlights the intention behind the project. You experience a deliberate pause in an otherwise overwhelming environment. The exhibition forces a slower pace upon the visitor. The organizers ask you to sit down and read a book instead of rushing to the next event. The project proves silence still holds value during major global festivals.
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