Graphic design for the urban installation The Flags Boulevard.
The Flags Boulevard on
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II,
toward Piazza San Babila.
Ph. © Courtesy of Italo Lupi
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II,
toward Piazza San Babila.
Ph. © Courtesy of Italo Lupi
Ph. © Courtesy of Italo Lupi
Detail of the flags in front
of the Milan Cathedral.
Ph. © Courtesy of Italo Lupi
of the Milan Cathedral.
Ph. © Courtesy of Italo Lupi
To promote the Expo 2015, Migliore+Servetto Architects in collaboration with graphic design master Italo Lupi conceived a urban installation called ‘The Flags Boulevard.’
The installation was made of hundreds of flags distributed across a path that crossed Milan’s city centre. Each one of the 140 flags of the countries that took part in the Expo 2015 was redesign in order to fit the elegant but unusual vertical size of the banners.
It was a meticulous work that required to carefully rearrange all the graphic elements of the national flags and tune all the colours. The project took more than two years to be completed, proceeding hand in hand with the participation of the countries to the Expo.
The Milan Flagpole with some of the
flags redesigned for the event.
2012–19 © Nicola-Matteo Munari
flags redesigned for the event.
2012–19 © Nicola-Matteo Munari
The Flags Boulevard on Via Dante
ended with a beautiful view of
the Sforza Castle.
Ph. © Andrea Martiradonna
ended with a beautiful view of
the Sforza Castle.
Ph. © Andrea Martiradonna
The Milan Flagpole was completed
by an occasional seat that was very
much appreciated by pedestrians.
Ph. © Andrea Martiradonna
by an occasional seat that was very
much appreciated by pedestrians.
Ph. © Andrea Martiradonna
Each flag was hanged on the Milan Flagpole, a steel structure that was specifically designed for the event by Ico Migliore and Mara Servetto Architects.
The flagpole was completed by an occasional seat at its base that effectively promoted social interactions by offering to pedestrians a place where to rest, chat, and enjoy the city.
Ph. © Courtesy of Italo Lupi
Ph. © Courtesy of Italo Lupi
The Flags Boulevard on Corso
Vittorio Emanuele II during a bright
winter morning.
Ph. © Nicola-Matteo Munari
Vittorio Emanuele II during a bright
winter morning.
Ph. © Nicola-Matteo Munari
The Milan Expo 2015 was visited by more than 22 millions of people and a lot more are those who passed through the installation during four years (2012–15). The Flags Boulevard proved to be a successful project that enriched the city with a useful and pleasing temporary installation.
—Nicola-Matteo Munari
Client
City of Milan
Graphic Design
Blandine Minot
Nicola-Matteo Munari
Art Direction
Italo Lupi
Exhibit Design
Migliore+Servetto
Project Date
2012–14
City of Milan
Graphic Design
Blandine Minot
Nicola-Matteo Munari
Art Direction
Italo Lupi
Exhibit Design
Migliore+Servetto
Project Date
2012–14