Aesthetics and Ethics
Form Follow Future

Design has always reflected its time, responding to the practical, aesthetic, and cultural needs of an ever-evolving society. In the past, the famous principle "form follows function" defined an era of rationalism and pragmatism. Today we are called to rethink our approach to design from a broader perspective—one where ethics and aesthetics are interconnected. "Form follows future" suggests a paradigm shift: form is no longer just a result of function but also of the responsibilities that design must take on for the future. Sustainability, longevity, inclusivity, and cultural value become fundamental aspects of the creative process, challenging designers to develop solutions that extend beyond the immediate. This talk will explore how design can address contemporary challenges through an aesthetic language that is both innovative and responsible and will attempt to outline a new path for the future of design—one where form and ethics merge into a harmonious and meaningful balance.

Host: Martino Gamper

Martino Gamper is an Italian designer based in London, trained as a furniture maker. He emphasizes materials in his work, rethinking the past to find concepts in reworked designs. His ongoing project, 100 Chairs in 100 Days, reconfigures discarded seats reflecting his political approach.

Nathalie Du Pasquier

Nathalie Du Pasquier, born in Bordeaux, has lived in Milan since 1979. Until 1986, she worked as a designer and was a founding member of Memphis. She designed numerous decorated surfaces: textiles, carpets, plastic laminates, furniture and objects. Since 1987, painting has been her main activity.

Beatrice Galilee

Beatrice Galilee is founder of The World Around, a nonprofit organization dedicated to impactful global design and architecture. She is the author of Radical Architecture of the Future and was the first curator of contemporary architecture and design at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2014-2019).