Italian architect and designer Paola Navone staged an exciting exhibition by features hundreds of objects collected or designed over the years for the 2023 edition of Milan Design Week in collaboration with the New York–based media company The Slowdown.

Entitled Take It or Leave It, the installation features an eclectic assortment of items collected or designed by Paola Navone, known for her adventurous attitude, roving eye, and whimsical interiors and furniture designs. Hundreds of these pieces are given away through a free, by-reservation lottery between from 17th to 21st April.

“So why do I want to do this? To be able to continue this crazy activity of acquiring things. At a certain point you are somehow surrounded by thousands of elements, thousands of objects, thousands of colors, thousands of samples... I wanted to be free to bring in new things and to make more space to have them!”
Paola Navone

Curated by Daniel Rozensztroch, former artistic director of the Paris concept store Merci, the objects in the exhibition include everything from antique metal spoons collected in India, to rare Alessi prototypes designed by Navone, to fine German porcelain.

“When Paola approached me with the radical idea to create an exhibition to give away objects from her collection, there was absolutely no way I could say no. I’ve always been in awe of her rare ability to source things from around the world and create something magical when they’re all brought together.”
Spencer Bailey, Editor-in-chief of The Slowdown

More than just a provocative exercise, Take It or Leave It is an effort in upcycling and reuse, underpinned by a projective, climate-forward manifesto. The exhibition boldly considers: Rather than relying on virgin materials and energy-intensive processes, why not appreciate and honor the things we already have, and give them a new life.