THE WORKSHOP

Giro Giro Tondo was inspired by a desire to investigate the link between design and childhood, and also design culture and pedagogy. Furniture, Games, Architectures, Signs and Animation alternate with in-depth analysis of influential figures, such as Bruno Munari and Maria Montessori, as well as fairy-tale icons, like Pinocchio.

OBJECTIVES

Given the long experience in the field of Toy Design, our aim has been to trace the history of the Italian toys since the beginning of the twentieth century. We have identified the companies and designers that led innovation in this sector, the different categories from building games to dolls, the products that have influenced the imagination of children for several generations and the new paths towards which this industry is going, including new technologies and the new ways to play.

WHAT WE DO

We worked closely with Triennale Design Museum, the others curators and the Art Director, Stefano Giovannoni, to design the exhibition set, giving our consultancy and helping the development of the general theme: the Enchanted Garden.

METHODOLOGY

With an academic approach, we outlined a selection of toys and games coherent with the historical development of the children role in our society.

We started with a general research on Italian toys that represented the succession of social changes that characterized Italy in the twentieth century. At the same time, we have identified the best proposals of contemporary designers able to express the evolution of our society. Afterwards, through the creation of oxymoron and contradictory approaches through the toys, we found a key to spread and raise awareness among some of the main topics in childhood, such as gender oriented toys, violence and digitalization.