Meet Vanessa Beecroft

Lia Rumma Gallery, Milan, the courtyard.

While in Milan I went to the opening of the internationally famous Italian artist Vanessa Beecroft, for her new exhibition and performance at the Galleria Lia Rumma, a big white cube on three levels with even space outside for installation of sculptures, a bonus for a city like Milan where space is at premium. Beecroft created a great performance with more then ten naked models, their bodies like sculptures, painted in different colors, sitting on marble slabs in various poses and moving in a very slow motion under the direction of the artist, who stays out of the scene though when the performance begins.
The live sculptures and the marble ones created a unique, very evocative sculptural group on the main level. It was a rainy day and we had to wait outside long time to allow only 150 people at a time to enter but it was worth the wait.

 

On the second and third level of the gallery amazingly powerful sculptures waited for us like the female figure above, emerging from the most amazing piece of marble, as all the others the artist uses: Green and Red Onyx, Blue Macaubas, Blue Lapis lazuli, Black Belgian marble and other precious cuts. The preciousness of the material contrasts with the fragmentation of the human body, always missing some parts, at first you admire the monumental work, but then you are forced to elaborate thoughts on the female condition and also on eating disorders, which are a constant theme in Beecroft’s art.

Above: models sitting on marble slabs, sculptures, the great, smart, gallery owner Lia Rumma dressed in white talking with Vittorio Sgarbi, a famous Italian art historian and art critic, a controversial and genial  personality and the curator of Padiglione Italia for the 2011 Venice Biennale. Of course the performance cannot be reproduced with a simple picture, because the two hours presented a continuous change and exchange between the public and the models. Things changed slowly and even my approach to her art as a viewer changed during the time I was there.

One model with the body painted in black, in a plastic pose. To see more pictures (professional ones) go to Lia Rumma website and click on “current”.

And here I am with beautiful Vanessa Beecroft, who now lives in Los Angeles continuing her study of the body, the beauty and the identity of the female gender.

Photography ©by Albarosa Simonetti

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


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Welcome to “Collioshire”

Collio is an area in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region in the North East corner of Italy, where my family is originally from.
This area is famous internationally for its  superb production of wine, especially whites like Tocai, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla and others. The landscape is beautiful too, with hills, towns punctuated by bell towers, vineyards, orchards, fields of poppies and wild flowers.
Some houses are built in stones and present the typical balcony of the region, with wood balustrade, geraniums and petunias flow from them creating a cheerful focal point.

 

 

 

 

In clear days the crown of Giulian Alps can be seen, as a spectacular backdrop, especially when snow is on the top, in winter.
You may wonder where the name Giulia for the region and the Alps come from, and it comes from Julius Caesar, the Roman emperor, even the name Friuli means Forum Julii or city of Julius.
The whole region has a pre-Roman origin since it was first inhabited by Celtic people, and remains of their history can be seen, together with Roman artifacts.

A region not yet well known, as I said previously in other posts, even by Italians, but worth the trip for a visit to absburgic Trieste, the Venetian Udine, the Longbard Cividale, the Roman Aquileja.

To go back to the title of the post: “Collioshire” I refer to the success of the Tuscan region of Chianti that became famous years ago to the point of being called Chiantishire by English speaking travellers, the same success is starting now in Collio, where Sting, Depardieu and others are trying to buy vineyards and where luxury country Hotels, Bed and Breakfast and simple Agriturismi are offering great choice of accommodations.

A toast to Collio!

Photography ©by Albarosa Simonetti

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

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Timeless elegance

Poltrona Frau at I Saloni 2011, Milan, presented the skeleton of a sofa, manufactured with superb skills.
I personally have sofas from Poltrona Frau acquired in 1970, still super comfortable and with so simple lines that make them timeless.

Poltrona Frau desk and chair as seen at I Saloni 2011 in Milan.

Poltrona Frau table and chairs as seen at I Saloni 2011 in Milan.

Buy less but buy the best you can afford!

Photography ©by Albarosa Simonetti
©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

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Meet Gio Ponti

A famous architect who designed buildings from Hong Kong to Sao Paulo to New York, a founder and editor of Domus, iconic architectural magazine founded in 1928, a University professor and more…I am talking about Gio Ponti (Milan 1891 – Milan 1979).

His native city, Milan, is now presenting two major retrospectives, one on his beautiful ceramics “Il fascino della ceramica” regarding his production for Richard-Ginori in the 1920’s. The exhibition is hosted in the same building designed by him, the tallest building in Milan “Grattacielo Pirelli” built between 1956 and 1960.

“A metaphor on the opening on the city’s horizon” as he said.

Two pictures taken by me from the 31st floor of the Pirellone, the Milanese nickname for the building, where you can have a 360° view of Milan.
At La Triennale (design museum) another exhibition called “Espressioni di Gio Ponti” will show the 70 years of his creativity, from architecture to industrial design, from artisanal production to every aspect of his artistic talent.

Domus magazine

Two chairs, on the right the “Superleggera” a chair designed by Ponti for Cassina, year 1957.

A classic reference.

Year 1950, a chandelier designed for Venini

Almost metaphysical.

 

Cabinet designed by Gio Ponti and decorated by Piero Fornasetti.

Gio Ponti …a timeless talent, always with an eye to the past, and one to the future.

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

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The Joy of Spring

Roses and Jasmine in full bloom everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All these images were taken in the gardens of  Palazzo Lantieri in Gorizia.

From Palazzo Lantieri website:
“Palazzo Lantieri is situated in the historic centre of Gorizia in beautiful surroundings: a visit to
this prestigious historical dwelling with its harmonious blend of modernity and tradition is a unique experience. Its spacious and elegant rooms were frequented in the past by royal and stellar literary figures including Goethe, Goldoni and Casanova, and are now open to those who want the experience of being seduced by their timeless charm.
(…)
Palazzo Lantieri has been an important cultural reference point for centuries, not only for Gorizia
and its county, but for Central Europe as well. It was built in the 14th century to guard the south-western entrance to the city. Various alterations were carried out to enlarge and adorn it, resulting in its slow transformation from fortress into the noble dwelling we see today. Its famous guests have included the French royal family, Pope Pius VI, the Archduchess of Austria Maria Theresa and Napoleon, as well as important cultural figures such as Goethe, Schiller, Goldoni, Pietro Metastasio, Casanova and Lorenzo da Ponte, all of whom mention it in their writings.”

Gorizia is a charming city situated in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, at the borders of Austria and Slovenia.
The whole region is an enchanting area going from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea, at the North East corner of Italy, where my family is from and I have to say...an area not well known even by Italians!

Photography© Albarosa Simonetti

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

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Philippe Starck!

In my previous post I asked: “Can you guess who he is?”  but I should have guessed that the image related to  the question was way too easy to guess, I guess! Alternatively my dear readers are very knowledgeable about design, in fact almost everyone gave the right answer, but the first to arrive in the comments (please click HERE and scroll to the comments section) was from:

Nancy Bendtsen, of the famous Inform Interiors stores in Vancouver, she actually did not name him but she said that they will be soon selling, among all the treasures of Starck and all the most famous designers, his new chair for Driade.
To be fair the first person to actually “name” Philippe Starck in the comments to my previous post was John Kuharchuk, so I decided to name both readers!

Bravi!

“I like to open the doors to people's brain." - Philippe Starck. This is the first quote you can find on his website .
In Starck’s long career, he has applied his creativity to so many different fields from a waste management center in Paris to international hotels to furniture like this one:

 

 

Miss Less chair by Starck for Kartell, as seen at I Saloni 2011, Milan, a rigorous design, almost an abstract sculpture for an everyday object.

Another iconic design, already present at MoMa, New York...

...is the lemon squeezer by Starck for Alessi.

How can I describe Starck work in a few lines? Almost impossible due to his incredible work but I will try also with the help of some of his famous quotes.  Starck, born to a well–off family remembers his youth  saying "I was completely unable to adapt to society and school, I spent my youth escaping."
But even if shy Starck was soon beginning to blossom socially and the design world welcomed his  enthusiasm for his work. "Good design can and should be part of everyday life. I'm always looking for magic in reality," he told People. "For the same price, you can give a lot more love and respect and service to people." His philosophy has always looked to the masses: good style but manufactured at a low cost.
In another interview on Newsweek he said: "A nice object will never change the life of somebody, but it helps. Everything around us has an influence on our subconscious. It will not bring back the husband, but it can send a sign of intelligence and poetry and humor."

When a journalist asked him what design he was most proud of. "The next one," Starck replied. "Because I am never, ever satisfied with what I've done."
And we are so happy that he is never satisfied, so we can again, and again, be surprised.

like with his famous gnomes, Attila and Napoléon, created for Kartell following the  “Movement for the liberation of the gnomes from gardens”. Thanks to Starck now gnomes can live with us in our houses!

Obviously he is having fun creating and thanks to him we can bring a touch of humor in our home!

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

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Can you guess who he is?

A Super creative man!

A Super original mind!

He has fun creating and we have fun looking at his projects. He started his career with inflatable objects and he declares that he is not interested in designers or architects. His youngest child was simply called K.

Now it is your turn to write but remember, comments will be published all together, and the first to guess the right name will not win anything…but only have the “privilege” to be named in the follow-up post.

©2011 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.
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Continue Reading... Label: Brillante Interiors, Can you guess