As one goes around the gallery, one sees a movable kitchen cabinet with a slot for a mini-refrigerator, chairs and sofas in numerous angular designs, a bookshelf painted in a hypnotic maze of colours with arms outstretched like the branches of a tree and various other artefacts of daily use occupying space.

Well, this is just a snapshot of the 100 most iconic objects of Italian design at this premier institute, courtesy the Permanent Collection of Italian Design, La Triennale di Milano, which is responsible for showcasing the finest of Italian designs by holding expos around the world.

This is incidentally the Italian Expo's last stop in the country after Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The exhibition in NID is open for public viewing till January 20 between 10 am and 7 pm.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Antonio Armellini, the Italian Ambassador to India said, "Both Indian and Italian design traditions complement each other. While the Indian tradition has brilliant use of colour and great craftsmanship skills, Italian design has been strong on innovation and technology fronts. We can learn a great deal from each other."

The design expo is being presented in the city with the efforts of the Italian Embassy, Italian Cultural Institute in New Delhi and La Triennale di Milano.

Dr Darlie Koshy, Director, NID said, "This is a great opportunity for the people in the state to see some of the finest design objects ever made. I urge the people of Gujarat to make it a point to see the exhibition."

All the artefacts chosen for the '100 objects of design collection' have been selected for their unusual design, innovative technology, their ability to capture the culture and the spirit of their times. Silvana Annicchiarico, director of the Triennale Desgin Museum said, "The objects have a great symbolic and emblematic value."