From April 9 to 14, design enthusiasts and industry professionals gather in the Italian city of Milan for its annual design and furniture fair. Here are four exhibitions to check out during this year's Milan Design Week.

Ventura Projects, April 9-14

Known for its regular events at Milan Design Week, Ventura Projects returns this year with its Future and Centrale exhibitions -- where visitors will enjoy the latest works from emerging and established studios and brands.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Ventura Projects ventures into new territories. While Ventura Centrale will remain at its usual setting near Milan's Centrale station, Ventura Future has found a new location in the Tortona district, in the Base Milano industrial complex.

This year, Ventura Centrale will feature 16 vaults -- hosting exhibitions by Dutch furniture brands Lensvelt, Japanese manufacturer AGC and Zurich-based bag manufacturer FREITAG, among others.

For its second edition, Ventura Future will display numerous projects that question present-day global affairs. Mexican-American artist Isabelle Sanchez Jacques will invite visitors to consume Mexican dishes while listening to stories from migrant workers.

Espasso at Corso Garibaldi 117, April 9-14

For its first-ever presentation at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, UK-and US-based gallery Espasso has decided to showcase Brazilian designers.

The 15-piece exhibition will offer a curated survey from the early 20th century to today -- featuring the work of designers like Claudia Moreira Salles and Ricardo Fasanello. 

A capsule collection, entitled Espasso+, will also display pieces by Gisela Simas, Rodrigo Ohtake and Ronald Sasson-produced exclusively for Espasso.

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 3 Rendering of Wallpaper* Handmade X exhibition at the 2019 Salone del Mobile | Image courtesy of DWA Design Studio
Photo 2 of 3 Espasso curated a 15-item collection for the 2019 Salone del Mobile, featuring pieces from renowned Brazilian designers. | Image Courtesy of Espasso
Photo 3 of 3 Rendering of the installation 'AQUA' in homage to Leonardo da Vinci | Image Courtesy of the 2019 Salone del Mobile Milano

Wallpaper* Handmade X at Milan's Salone dei Tessuti, April 9-13

Now in its 10th edition, Wallpaper* Handmade returns to Milan's Salone dei Tessuti with a love-themed exhibition. The show will feature a series of one-off wonders such as Elmgren & Dragset and Georg Jensen's cellphone slumber pod, Gustavo Martini and Testi's love seat, and Paul Smith and Mercian's bicycle ride for two.

Homage to Leonardo da Vinci, April 6- 14

Ahead of the city celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, the Salone del Mobile will display two installations, "DE-SIGNO. The art of Italian design before and after Leonardo" and "AQUA. Leonardo's Vision".

Displayed in Pavilion 24 at the fairgrounds, "DE-SIGNO" is an immersive installation featuring film and theatrical scenography. Conceived by Davide Rampello and designed by architect Alessandro Colombo, it will house a show of images and music illustrating Da Vinci's approach to design.

"AQUA" will be on show at the Conca dell'Incoronata canal lock. This site-specific immersive installation --created by Marco Balich -- celebrates the originality of Da Vinci's studies. The canal lock will be covered over with an architectural insert in the form of a great expanse of water. Beneath the structure, a wunderkammer (cabinet of curiosities) will be created -- where visitors can experience all the energy and shape of water in a totally self-contained environment.

"DE-SIGNO" will be on show April 9 -14 while "AQUA" will be on display April 6- 14.

For more information about Milan Design Week/ Fuorisalone and Salone Internazionale del Mobile visit fuorisalone.it/2019/ and www.salonemilano.it/.

Banner photo: Zurich-based manufacturer FREITAG will hold a collaborative exhibition 'Unfluencer' with artist Georg Lendorff at the 2019 Milan Design Week, Ventura Centrale | Image Courtesy of Ventura Centrale

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