The Humans Behind: a storytelling of surfaces and narrations

Iris Ceramica Group interprets the Fuorisalone theme “Be the Project” by bringing the Person, who with their human dimension becomes a creator of uniqueness, to centre stage.
In the ICG Gallery, the new Diesel with Iris Ceramica surfaces on show in the main window offer a highly characterised representation of the project, and for the occasion, set the scene for “The Backstage Talk”: a Live Conversation on the topic of the event.
Beyond the showroom - where new Sapienstone products are also on show - the concept also translates into a special initiative in partnership with the associations involved in the charity project Quarto Fuoco® - run by Fondazione Iris Ceramica Group ETS - and the Chef Davide Oldani.

c/o ICG Gallery Milan
Via Santa Margherita, 4
april 20-25 

Iris Ceramica Group will once again bring its distinctive presence in the design world to MDW2026 with its ICG Gallery, in Via Santa Margherita, in the beating heart of the city.

Inspired by “Be the Project” – the theme of this edition of the Fuorisalone – Iris Ceramica Group presents the concept “The humans behind”: a storytelling project made of a palette of materials and narrations. At the heart of the story lies the protagonist, the Person who with their identity becomes the authentic creator of uniqueness, whether an inspired vision, an object, a work or a design element. It is an invitation to observe the tangible by looking through it to recognise the traces of the one who brought it to life. In fact, in addition to the traditional display of new ceramic surfaces, in the window we find the creative soul and inspiration that first imagined it and thereafter concretely made it.      

From this comes “Reloaded: Diesel Living with Iris Ceramica”, previewed for the very first time at the ICG Gallery for the Fuorisalone. A project that has linked the visions of the two brands, expressing a strong, uncompromising identity with a contemporary attitude. This vision has led to two new colour blocks: mood-boards composed of large slabs and conventional small red clay coverings. Natural inspirations like marble and stone blend with polished and textured surfaces, creating dynamic compositions in which ceramics become a pure expressive language.         

The new surfaces starring in the main window at Via Santa Margherita 4 set the scene for “The Backstage Talk”: a Live Conversation in partnership with Outpump on the theme “The Humans Behind”. Interviewed by Saul Marcadent - researcher from Iuav University in Venice - on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 April, talking on air are the Chef Davide Oldani, the design firm NM3, Francesca Ragazzi Head of Editorial Content at Vogue Italia and, finally, Paolo Casati founder of Fuorisalone.it. From haute cuisine to design and on to the fashion world, the 4 special guests explore the creative world and the human dimension that inspires them “on tiptoes” in a personal interview.               

This inspiration also emerges in the brand Sapienstone's new "haute couture" surfaces, on show at the ICG Gallery. The new 12mm thick large slabs - Travessa, Muschelkalk and Breccia Rosa 4D - represent a natural and refined beauty that dialogues with fashion, shaping the surrounding environment.      

The narration of the “The Humans Behind” concept also continues beyond the Iris Ceramica Group showroom, focusing on artistic ceramics that bring stories to become a means of personal expression, and in this sense, a quintessential material for educational purposes and a tool that fosters inclusion. These are the foundations of the Quarto Fuoco® project, designed and run by Fondazione Iris Ceramica Group, with the active involvement of Save the Children with its Punti Luce in the Quarto Oggiaro and Giambellino districts of Milan, Anffas in Sassuolo and Lucca, along with other associations throughout the country, as far as Naples and Palermo.                    
During the Design Week, the Foundation's charity design project stars in a unique collaboration with the world of gastronomic excellence.            
During two exclusive evenings, Quarto Fuoco® becomes an integral part of the experience at the Olmo and D’O restaurants run by the award-winning chef Davide Oldani, creating a choral narration that speaks of humanity, passion and inspiration. For the first time, the dishes served will also be special and unique in their decoration. The people from the Quarto Fuoco® association have interpreted four iconic dishes of Chef Oldani’s menu, translating them into shapes and colours with origami, flowers and small candelabras.

Material, storytelling and common values. Iris Ceramica Group brings to the Fuorisalone the idea that each of us can “Be the Project”, expressing our authenticity through ceramics as an art form.