At Fuorisalone SpaghettiWall promotes a creative project in support of MADE51, a project of UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency

Making Knots is an installation – still open to public - by Gianpaolo Venier of OTTO Studio, realised with the creative contribution of a group of Afghan and Syrian refugee women.
The Fuorisalone not only as a collector of product novelties or a networking platform, but also as an ideal stage for launching messages of profound social significance. SpaghettiWall, inside the new "Le Stanze" showroom in via Cino del Duca 2, adjacent to via Durini and c.so Monforte, hosts "Making Knots", a project conceived by Gianpaolo Venier of OTTO Studio and with an artwork contribution by Giorgio Biscaro, in support of UNHCR and its MADE51 initiative, whose aim is to enhance the skills and cultural heritage of refugee artisans by creating opportunities for economic autonomy and bringing the craftsmanship and stories of refugees into the world.
Refugee artisans face multiple challenges that limit their ability to sell their products on the market. To facilitate their journey, UNHCR identifies groups of refugees with craft skills and potential and connects these groups with businesses globally. Through MADE51's unique ecosystem model, UNHCR helps artisans' products reach the global market. Today, MADE51 involves around 4,000 artisans in 23 countries, 85% of whom are women.
The installation at the Fuorisalone at "Le Stanze", open to the public, incorporates the creativity of a group of Afghan refugee women who have found protection in India and Syrian refugee women in Lebanon: weaves and yarns are in fact transformed by Venier into pom poms and braids, and then into upholstery for a furnishing accessory, an ADJ Style vase and a colourful wallpaper with an abstract subject in three colour variants, produced by SpaghettiWall and part of the new catalogue.
“We are entrepreneurs, architects, design enthusiasts, but we are first and foremost people, with values and a social responsibility" says Federica Borgobello, CEO of SpaghettiWall "In this sense we feel that our commitment to SpaghettiWall must necessarily go beyond the decorative theme. With this initiative we want to make our means available to support the many people who have lost everything due to armed conflicts. Thanks to Gian Paolo Venier and UNHCR, we have the opportunity to do this in the way that is closest to our identity: through colour and visual language'.
The installation provides also an opportunity to raise funds in support of the MADE51 project, through free donations with a direct and dedicated QR code, displayed in the location and available to those who wish to contribute, and also through the auction of some unique customised pieces. The silent auction will be open to all and active until May 15. It’s also possible to support the cause simply by spreading a message of solidarity through social media, using the hashtags #MADE51 e #Withrefugees.
"We are grateful to SpaghettiWall for choosing to support MADE51, an innovative and market-based model to promote the economic inclusion of refugees," comments Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR representative for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino. With a growth as rapid as it is constant, the number of people fleeing conflict and persecution in the world has exceeded 114 million. Many are forced to abandon their livelihoods in their flight to safety. MADE51 offers refugee artisans the opportunity not only to return to income and thus re-establish their independence, but also to express their talents and utilise their skills, which brings tangible benefits to both them and their host communities".