In the center of Milan, at Santa Maria delle Grazie, images of truth and illusion intertwine in the mind. At Prada Frames “In Sight,” image creation and its effect on culture become topics of discussion. The fifth edition of Prada’s annual symposium, curated by the design and research studio Formafantasma, runs during Milan’s Salone del Mobile 2026.

This year’s theme focuses on the concept of image-making and its influence on contemporary culture, as well as its impact on the environment and society at large. The symposium invites the audience to look beyond mere aesthetics and design, delving into deeper dialogue. The three-day event hosted conversations by Mark Leckey, Ed Atkins, Natalia Grabowska, Julian Rosefeldt, Barbara Maria Stafford, Jonas Staal, and Alfredo Jaar, who explored how images teeter on portraying the truth and how the line between human and machine creations has become increasingly blurred.

Taking place in the Renaissance opulence of the Sacrestia, speakers probed the impact of images on our knowledge, imagination, and sense of self. Mark Leckey, Ed Atkins, and Natalia Grabowska discussed how constant exposure to digital visuals alters our perception of ourselves, while Julian Rosefeldt and Barbara Maria Stafford examined how our absorption of images influences our understanding of the world, culture, and science. Lectures from Jonas Staal and Alfredo Jaar dissected the political sphere and the function of images in shaping ideas of the future, spreading propaganda, influencing beliefs, and resisting power.

As the boundaries between fact and fiction shift, Prada Frames “In Sight” becomes a space for reflection. Across three days of lectures, discussions, guided visits, and music, the symposium offered participants a chance to engage with Milan's historical architectural heritage and to grapple with pressing questions at the core of contemporary culture.

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