Following the success of last year, the Marble Forum has been confirmed as the ideal place to show, debate, learn theoretical contents and see architectonic and landscape works linked to the world of stone. Over the four days that Marmomacc lasts, the Marble Forum will be a meeting-place for various disciplines and knowledge.

Its location in the exhibition centre devoted to architecture and design, in Hall 7B, makes it the ideal meeting-place for all of those with an interest in the culture of stone.

The Marble Forum at the 2011 edition of Marmomacc will host exhibitions, conventions, conferences, talks, seminars and meetings in a special area that will bring together architects and designers, professors in different branches of lithic technology and research from various universities, digital design experts and technicians, geologists and environmentalists, research groups from Faculties of Architecture, Engineering and the world of design. The Forum is also an opportunity for young architects and academics to pool their experience and research.

EXHIBITIONS

Some of the main exhibitions in the Marble Forum include:

- Twelfth edition of the International Award for Architecture using Stone.
Projects selected by an International Jury. The five contemporary works selected, and the “in memoriam” and “vernacular architecture” awards will be documented with drawings, photos, models and video. The lithic materials used will be gathered together in a special “Marmotec”.

 - Lithic project in Universities
A series of exhibitions on the best works presented in the courses on “Design using stone” promoted in collaboration with various universities.

- Light and Matter by Rafael Galiotto for Solubema
A fascinating game of mirrors to investigate the relationship between light and stone materials. Designed and built by Rafael Galiotto with precious stones from the company Solubema (Portugal) and Merbes Sprimont (Belgium), the exhibition is like an entertaining game of mirrors that communicates with surfaces that are absorbent, polished, opaque and reflective. Depending on the light, they act as distortion mirrors and create transparencies.

 - The classic and contemporary marble of Paul Le Ulian Fablier

- HOT Cube Project for marble and granite by Italia Sicilmarmi
A marble cube as the point of departure and the need to adapt to an ever increasing demand for natural, environmentally friendly materials, featuring different artists.

PRIZES, CONFERENCES, TALKS AND MEETINGS

The main business events and conferences that have been scheduled include the following:

- Best Communicator Award

- “Marble Women” Award

- L'Aquila. Stones for reconstruction. Conferences on the methods and experiences in restoring and rebuilding old stone buildings in seismic zones.

- Fair Designer

- Master from Milan Polytechnic. Conferences linked to the study plan of the Master’s in Stone Design at Milan Polytechnic.

- Lithic research territories. Conferences, talks and meetings proposed by Italian and foreign universities.

- AFP – RIBA – RAIC educational courses. Conferences on specific matters.