“AUTENTICO. Design made in Puglia,” a new exhibition showcasing design and innovation from Italy’s trending “it” destination – Puglia – opened on Friday at 82 Gansevoort Street New York’s Meatpacking District, across from The Whitney. It runs through Nov. 17, and features a curated selection of furnishings from nearly a dozen top Pugliese brands, with captivating photography from rising talent Piero Percoco. A huge fan of Puglia – the limestone capital of the universe – A+A recently interviewed Alessandro Delli Noci, regional minister for the Economic Development Regione Puglia, about the exhibit:

Why is Puglia the hottest design spot in Italy right now?

Steeped in history, Puglia is a dynamic region in the southeast of Italy that’s both an authentic and modern, forward-looking region. It’s a place where the endless beauty of the sea and rural landscapes inspires local and international designers, giving life to a flourishing furniture and furnishings industry. It’s also and where local natural stones and materials are transformed into architectural works and design collections.

Regione Puglia is the regional government of Puglia and actively promotes design “Made in Puglia,” intent on bringing a new vision of the future of living to the world. Design in Puglia focuses on manufacturing excellence and its talents, capable of an authentic combination of innovation, history, and traditions – elements that make the region of Puglia stand out on an international level.

Who are the artisans represented here?

Affreschi & Affreschi, AMURA LAB, Centrino Style, BIANCO CAVE by FATO STONE, Marra Pavimenti, Pimar Italian Limestone Specialist, R.D.D. Italia, Officine Tamborrino, Dimarmo, Trame di Pietra and MITOHOME.

What’s the background on Archiproducts?

With over 300,000 products, more than 3,000 brand partners and 3.7 million registered users, Archiproducts is the global source for Architecture and Design. Every day, thousands of architects, designers and private users from all over the world choose Archiproducts to find inspiration, search catalogs and discover design solutions of the most important international Brands. Archiproducts works with all of them, by thinking as an industry, living as a community.

The assignment here?

Alessandro Delli Noci, regional minister for the Economic Development Regione Puglia notes that “this important presence in New York is meant to showcase the excellence of Puglia’s brands and designers. It is an opportunity to highlight a sector that has historically been instrumental in promoting the furniture industry in foreign markets. An industry that has experienced an incredible growth in the last decade, establishing itself as a cornerstone of Puglia’s economy.”

The design intent?

The Pugliese region has always been a place of natural excellence, which has grown thanks to its unique geographical position between Europe and the Mediterranean. Over time, new know-how, skills, and technologies have mixed with Puglia’s traditions, leading to new research and experimentation. The resources and techniques of Apulian craftsmanship have been enriched with new values, bringing materials such as stone, fabrics, metal, and ceramics to increasingly appreciated levels of quality and excellence worldwide.

What’s the intent of the exhibition itself?

It’s four fold:

Autentico: Design made in Puglia is an immersive exhibition and an experience in Apulian excellence in Design and Architecture.

Products: The images and imagery present the forms, ideas and materials of Design made in 

Puglia: To represent one of the most recognized and appreciated values of Puglia: authenticity.

Design: To showcase that design made in Puglia is authentic and sustainable because it is inherent to the land it expresses.

For more, go here.