Launched in 2017 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, "Italian Design Day" is a global initiative created to showcase the profound value of Italian design around the world. Today, the celebration takes place across nearly 100 international cities, presenting diverse activations that highlight design as an integral driver of the Italian lifestyle. The core mission of Italian Design Day underscores how design has permeated all aspects of daily life—including culture and art—forming one of the most exemplary cornerstones of Italian heritage.

Marking its sixth edition in 2022, Italian Design Day adopted the theme "Re-Generation: Design and New Technologies for a Sustainable Future," emphasizing the need for a forward-looking vision in design amidst the rapid global changes caused by the pandemic. David Giglio, Representative of the Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office, noted: "Italian Design Day aims to promote world-leading quality and design philosophies. Italian designers and companies are increasingly dedicated to advancing open and inclusive innovation across civil society and local communities—thereby reducing material, energy, and water consumption, as well as curbing climate-altering emissions. We hope Taiwan's design community and general public will join us in this mission to contribute toward an ecologically sustainable value chain."

Image / Showcase of representative Italian stone samples on display.

With a history of natural stone usage spanning over two millennia, marble culture is deeply imprinted upon Italian civilization. It serves not only as a vessel for humanity's greatest artistic achievements, but also stands as the very soul of Italian heritage, cementing Italy's status as the global epicenter of the natural stone industry today.

In an interview, Director Condemi remarked: "Marble has always been an indispensable material in Italian culture. Whether in the form of flat slab installations or three-dimensional sculptures, the ancient Romans utilized it extensively across public architecture and private villas. From later Gothic architecture to Neoclassicism and the Renaissance, Italy's architectural history has been profoundly shaped by natural stone. For us, no other material can define nobility and elegance as precisely as natural stone."

This exhibition traces its story back to the Roman Empire, where historical records document the passion of Emperor Augustus and his successors for rare stones. As the empire expanded, precious stones were transported from all corners to Rome to fulfill their refined tastes; incorporating luxury stones into residential spaces even became a premier symbol of social status. Moving into the Renaissance, a wealth of iconic sculptured masterworks emerged. Michelangelo famously journeyed to the quarries of Carrara to personally select pristine blocks for his sculptures. Carrara white marble—renowned for its fine, pure texture, optimal hardness, and low water absorption—offered the ultimate medium for sculpting. Having been quarried for over a thousand years, the Carrara mountains remain a holy sanctuary for stone enthusiasts worldwide. For this special occasion, CHENHOW MARBLE curated eight rare mineral specimens directly from Italy, shipping them over for public display at the venue.

In the final gallery of the exhibition, CHENHOW MARBLE presents a historical chronicle detailing the evolution, height, and transformation of Taiwan’s natural stone industry. Taiwan’s stone sector began to take shape around the 1960s, with Hualien serving as the primary hub—accounting for 90% of domestic production resources. Across upstream quarrying, midstream processing, and downstream distribution, the industry enjoyed a glorious chapter, reaching its zenith around 1995. Driven by booming construction demand and the golden age of OEM exports, annual output value surpassed NT$120 billion, with processing machinery and capacity ranking second in the world, trailing only Italy. However, amidst global competition, the rapid rise of China's stone industry, rising domestic costs, and tariff barriers, Taiwan gradually lost its competitive edge in export markets. Post-1990s, annual output declined continuously, prompting a shift toward a domestic-oriented business model.

As the Italian luxury stone sector flourished in the 2010s, CHENHOW MARBLE—founded in 2007—boldly executed a strategic pivot to secure its future. It became Taiwan's pioneering brand to align directly with international luxury stone trends. By adopting a counter-market strategy focused on ultra-high-quality rare minerals, CHENHOW injected a vibrant new direction into the domestic market. Offering a high-variety, curated selection displayed within comfortable and elegant gallery showrooms, the company transformed how stone slab distributors presented their collections within just a few years. What the industry came to recognize as the "CHENHOW Way" gained widespread traction, establishing CHENHOW as a benchmark leader.

Reflecting on the curatorial vision, CHENHOW MARBLE Brand Director Yu-kai Chen shared: "Natural stone stands among the most historic building materials in human civilization. For this exhibition, we meticulously mapped out Italy's rich cultural heritage and quarries. Italy's unwavering commitment to stone aesthetics offers invaluable inspiration, mirroring the refined luxury stone style CHENHOW strives to deliver to our clients. CHENHOW MARBLE is honored to be recognized as a benchmark for industry transformation. As pioneers in high-end stone management, we hope our journey serves as a compelling reference for other Taiwanese SMEs in traditional industries: even in smaller markets, we can build brands defined by exquisite detail and exceptional quality—distinctive attributes that cannot be easily replicated."

Image / CHENHOW MARBLE CBO Kyle Chen guiding Director Condemi through the special exhibition.