Summary:
- Vibram opens Ground Echo installation at its Milan store, documenting the Carrarmato sole's development from 1937 to present day
- The exhibition features archival photographs, historical objects, and audio recordings from international collections
- Three themed sections guide visitors through the sole's technical evolution and cultural impact on outdoor recreation
The Vibram store in Milan hosts Ground Echo, an exhibition dedicated to the Carrarmato sole. The installation opens December 3 at Via Raffaello Sanzio 6. This presentation forms part of Mountains of Milano, a series examining relationships between urban environments and alpine territories.
The Carrarmato sole originated in response to a 1935 mountaineering accident on Punta Rasica. Vitale Bramani, an alpinist, identified inadequate footwear traction as a major safety issue. He developed rubber lugs to replace heavy iron hobnails. The new design offered better grip while reducing weight.
Bramani and Ettore Castiglioni tested the final prototype in 1937 during an ascent of Pizzo Badile's northwest face. This climb marked the first use of what would become the Vibram Carrarmato sole. The design changed alpine footwear standards.
The exhibition divides into three sections. Each represents a different elevation level and explores distinct aspects of the sole's development.
The first section, Bassa Quota, displays photographs from Vibram's archive. This collection documents decades of design work and cultural influence. Audio materials come from the Outdoor Recreation Archive at Utah State University. That collection holds more than 10,000 items related to outdoor recreation history.
Media Quota, the middle section, presents objects showing technical and aesthetic changes to the Carrarmato design. These items demonstrate how the sole adapted as outdoor culture evolved. The display tracks modifications made over multiple decades.
Alta Quota focuses on current developments. Audio recordings feature the Vibram Research & Development team and Foarms, a footwear design studio founded by Erik Arlen. This section examines recent material innovations and design approaches.
The installation brings together work from designers, researchers, and archivists. Their combined efforts trace how one invention stayed relevant across nine decades. The presentation looks at material science, design methodology, and ongoing testing processes that keep the Carrarmato sole in production.
Ground Echo runs during Milan's winter season. The store serves as both retail space and cultural venue. This approach reflects Vibram's strategy of linking commercial operations with historical documentation.
The Carrarmato sole entered the market when alpine tourism was expanding. Better equipment made mountain recreation accessible to more people. The rubber lug design became a standard configuration copied by other manufacturers.
Vibram's archive project continues to grow. The company collects materials documenting product development and marketing campaigns. These records provide source material for exhibitions and research projects.
The Utah State University collection offers comparative context. Its holdings include equipment, publications, and personal papers from outdoor recreation pioneers. These materials help trace how European innovations like the Carrarmato sole influenced American outdoor culture.
The exhibition space uses audio extensively. Recorded interviews and narration guide visitors through technical details without requiring text panels. This approach works for international audiences visiting the Milan location.
Foarms studio contributes contemporary design perspectives. The collaboration shows how historical products inform current footwear development. Studios reference classic designs while working with new materials and manufacturing methods.
Ground Echo positions the Carrarmato sole within broader outdoor equipment history. The exhibition shows connections between safety needs, technical solutions, and design evolution. Visitors see how one product responded to changing demands across multiple generations.
The installation will remain at the Milan store through the winter months. Entry requires no advance booking. Store hours accommodate both local residents and tourists visiting the city.
Staff
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