Pirelli’s rubber “soul” on show at the Museum without walls of the University of Milano-Bicocca
The exhibition Birth: nascere non basta opens today at the Library of the University of Milano-Bicocca. This is the first exhibition organised by the Museo Diffuso Bicocca (MuDiB), the Bicocca multi-venue museum that brings together not only the various departments of the University but also the individual spirits of our local community.
Exploring the intricate theme of birth, the exhibition examines four distinct thematic areas: the birth of human beings, of ideas, of plants, and of museums. Artefacts, photographs, video testimonies and writings all illustrate experiences, projects and research activities. The last section of the display is devoted to the birth of MuDiB itself, showing the University’s heritage alongside artefacts from other cultures and university museums in the surrounding area. The aim is to pique visitors’ curiosity and encourage them to explore these collections firsthand.
The Bicocca district is strengthening the close bond between the University and the Pirelli headquarters. This area, which is now home to both institutions and to the Pirelli Foundation and its Historical Archive, traces its birth to 1906, when Giovanni Battista Pirelli acquired 116 hectares between the municipalities of Niguarda and Greco Milanese in order to expand production beyond the factory in Via Ponte Seveso.
The Pirelli Foundation contributes to the University exhibition by illustrating the boundless potential of the versatile material that is rubber. Initially used for making tubes, belts, valves and gaskets, rubber gradually permeated nearly every facet of daily life, from sports to leisure. Pirelli introduced numerous rubber goods to the consumer market.
However, it was in the late 1940s that rubber ventured into the realm of design. In its partnership with the artist Bruno Munari, Pirelli started making toys in foam rubber, reinforced by adjustable metal wires. In 1949 came Meo Romeo the cat and in 1953 came Zizì the monkey, winner of the first edition of the Compasso d’Oro the following year. These toys became iconic symbols of international industrial design.
With their simplicity of form, lightweight construction, and educational value, these revolutionary toys left an indelible mark, and they will be on display at the University of Milano-Bicocca until 31 December 2023.
The exhibition Birth: nascere non basta opens today at the Library of the University of Milano-Bicocca. This is the first exhibition organised by the Museo Diffuso Bicocca (MuDiB), the Bicocca multi-venue museum that brings together not only the various departments of the University but also the individual spirits of our local community.
Exploring the intricate theme of birth, the exhibition examines four distinct thematic areas: the birth of human beings, of ideas, of plants, and of museums. Artefacts, photographs, video testimonies and writings all illustrate experiences, projects and research activities. The last section of the display is devoted to the birth of MuDiB itself, showing the University’s heritage alongside artefacts from other cultures and university museums in the surrounding area. The aim is to pique visitors’ curiosity and encourage them to explore these collections firsthand.
The Bicocca district is strengthening the close bond between the University and the Pirelli headquarters. This area, which is now home to both institutions and to the Pirelli Foundation and its Historical Archive, traces its birth to 1906, when Giovanni Battista Pirelli acquired 116 hectares between the municipalities of Niguarda and Greco Milanese in order to expand production beyond the factory in Via Ponte Seveso.
The Pirelli Foundation contributes to the University exhibition by illustrating the boundless potential of the versatile material that is rubber. Initially used for making tubes, belts, valves and gaskets, rubber gradually permeated nearly every facet of daily life, from sports to leisure. Pirelli introduced numerous rubber goods to the consumer market.
However, it was in the late 1940s that rubber ventured into the realm of design. In its partnership with the artist Bruno Munari, Pirelli started making toys in foam rubber, reinforced by adjustable metal wires. In 1949 came Meo Romeo the cat and in 1953 came Zizì the monkey, winner of the first edition of the Compasso d’Oro the following year. These toys became iconic symbols of international industrial design.
With their simplicity of form, lightweight construction, and educational value, these revolutionary toys left an indelible mark, and they will be on display at the University of Milano-Bicocca until 31 December 2023.