THE CROWS ALIGHT

Glasstress (Art Exhibit) Murano, Venice- Sunday, June 12th, 2011



On June 12th we went to Murano in Venice. While there we checked out a contemporary glass art exhibit called Glasstress. This was by far my favourite piece. It was created by Javier Perez and is titled "Carrona". I don’t think anyone would ever describe me as a macabre person, but I really like this piece. The one half of the chandelier is still so pristine and whole while the other half is completely destroyed. They obviously had to break it methodically and spread it manually, which would take a ridiculous amount of time, patience and skill to do. It’s as though the chandelier is frozen in mid crash and the spread of the pieces is so realistic. I love that from a distance it looks very literal, a fallen chandler with crows sitting on it. However, the illusion starts when you get up close.

REPLIES FROM RODRIGO RODRIQUES

FLOS, Milan - Saturday, June 11th, 2011
Interview with Rodrigo Rodriguez

On June 11th we visited the Italian lighting company FLOS. While there I was able to complete a short interview with the company’s CEO Rodrigo Rodriques. Here are the questions I asked and his paraphrased answers.

What made your father in law want to start his own company and why lighting?
He saw the signs of the market. He saw the need in the market and he saw the talent of the Italian designers.

Venice Night Light

Dark alleys and quiet squares, Venezia - Saturday, June 11th

Throughout Italy, it goes without saying that the architecture is amazing, it seems that every angle paints a new impression. Experiencing Venice at night is like waking in a completely different city. The shadows created by the leaning alleys, numerous bridges and reflecting water are impossible to capture in film. The pinkish city lights appear so perfectly complimentary, careful planning that seems to go into each and every detail.

Italian Design and Technology

FLOS lighting, Milan - Saturday, June 11

Soft Architecture: Wallpiercing

"Technology is used to realize artistic visions. For Italians, technology lives within design, not the other way around."

FLOS Soft-Architecture: Synthetic Evolution

FLOS Showroom, Milan - June 11th

Since their string of successful Castiglioni-designed lamps in the 60's, FLOS has developed a reputation as one of the leaders in innovative Italian lighting design. Their two product lines, architectural and decorative, span a wide range of lighting systems, suitable for both personal and professional environments. Like any other company, FLOS has had to adapt their product lines to changes in markets and technology. Their particular evolution strategy, however, proves to be a unique in the context of similar organizations.

Politechnico di Milano (Video)

Politechnico di Milano - Milan - June 10, 2011







- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay

At A Glance: Politecnico di Milano

Politechnico di Milano Milan - June 9, 2011

Of all the educational institutions we have visited during our time in Italy, Politecnico di Milano stands out as one of the most highly developed schools for students of engineering and design. Originally called "Istituto Tecnico Superiore", Politecnico was established in 1863. The school has an extensive history that has greatly influenced the way in which it operates to this day.

We were personally welcomed to Milan by the dean of the school, who explained to us the general layout of the Politecnico Network. Politecnico is divided into 7 different campuses that are scattered across Italy, each dedicated to a specific range of studies. We visited the Bovisa campus, which itself is divided into two campuses, one for industrial engineering and the other for design and architecture.