If only the exhibition opening had not clashed with the European Championships soccer match between Germany and Croatia... As it was an Irish Pub in the small Belgian town Kortrijk (we were the only two guests) would eventually satisfy our soccer need. Unfortunately public viewing has not really caught on here. Yet Kortrijk is a truly special place for design enthusiasts: Every two years it is the venue for “Interieur“, one of Europe’s best design fairs, while a onetime carpet factory is home to famous shooting star Arne Quinze, who has been highly successful around the world with his installations, sculptures and performances (and more recently with Barbara Becker). Moreover, the company Quinze&Milan, which gained fame through its eccentric furniture designs largely created by Arne Quinze himself is also based here. Last year Moroso agreed to open Gallery 113, which is used for special shows such as the wonderful exhibition "Fragiles" in February, and as a permanent showroom for Moroso and Quinze&Milan.

Anyone who talks about Moroso speaks first and foremost about Patrizia Moroso, daughter of the company founder and spirited Art Director of the company from Udine (another small town that has produced some truly amazing things). So it is hardly surprising that the exhibition "Backstage Moroso" has turned into an impressive homage to this grande dame of contemporary Italian design. Her extraordinary talent of gaining the commitment of such different designers as Ron Arad, Massimo Iosa Ghini, Konstantin Grcic, Marcel Wanders, Tord Boontje, Stefan Diez, Patricia Urquiola, Arne Quinze to the company (and herself) yet giving them the necessary creative scope is reflected in the prototypes and one-off pieces on show in the exhibition – and presented together for the first time. On an area of over 1,500 square meters the show tells the story of twenty of Patrizia’s favorites featuring drawings, sketches, 3D models, prototypes and previously unseen one-off objects. The show runs until September 14.

Backstage Moroso – A sideview on the Moroso Design Collection
June 13th – September 14th
8500 Kortrijk Belgium
www.gallery113.tv