The Teatro Sociale Como opens its doors to the public on the occasion of the first Lake Como Design Fair, acting as its scene setting and continuing within the architectural dialogue that is enacted outside, where rationalist buildings such as the ex Casa del Fascio interact with the adjacent cathedral and the theatre itself.

The curatorial ambition for the exhibition is to introduce design into the foyer and main rooms of the theatre creating a wholly new fair concept. The works of international designers, architects and artists are selected amongst three categories and presented in a setting that echoes the ambiance of the theatre.

During the exhibition the "mise en scène" of the selected design pieces will prevail over their ordinary "use". The object becomes the subject. An intentionally minimal scenography will emphasise a dialogue between the objects and the interior of the theatre. As the visitors traverse the rooms, they cannot help but be struck by the intensity of details, colours, proportions and variety of the materials of the exhibited items. 

In the first room, a monumental table recalls festive atmospheres hosting a collection of 50 vases and containers of all shapes, sizes and forms. In the main room, 40 seats are arranged in parallel lines like an imaginary theatre parterre. In the third room, 8 screens delineate the space and articulate the visitors' presence. A fourth room exhibits a selection of works on paper, silk-screen prints, engravings, artists’ books and multiples, immersed in its hand-painted walls.

Lake Como Design fair welcomed 100 objects and 22 graphic artworks from 52 European exhibitors. 80% of the exhibited works were created in the last three years and 15% has been specially produced for the Fair.