- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Made in Italy - Mind Map
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
Friday, June 24, 2011
Portrait Round-up
Here's a quick portrait round-up of just a few of all the interesting people we've had the opportunity to meet.
Laboratorio della Creativita e dello Stile Italiani
Macro Museum, Roma - Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
"Creativity Lab" at the Macro Museum
Our Italian Design Grand Tour is slowly coming to an end and here we are in our last week, reflecting on what we've seen and making connections with what we've learned. It almost feels like our studio back home: the long hours, the constant snacking, the uncomfortable stools, and being surrounded by our fellow classmates. Then again this familiarity is interrupted by the high windows and the organic desk that can cater to group work or individual work.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Creating and Preserving Brand Heritage
Various corporate museums throughout Florence and Milan - June
A corporate museum is a type of institution that combines elements of a profit-making organization with a traditional museum, giving the public a glance into the past, present and future of a company. We've visited several corporate museums on this trip, each one taking a different approach in exhibiting the evolution of the products, people and organization of the company.
 |
| Richard Ginori, Piaggio & Salvatore Ferragamo |
 | ||||
| Kartell & Alessi |
A corporate museum is a type of institution that combines elements of a profit-making organization with a traditional museum, giving the public a glance into the past, present and future of a company. We've visited several corporate museums on this trip, each one taking a different approach in exhibiting the evolution of the products, people and organization of the company.
The Importance of Communication in Design Education
Milan, Florence - June 10th, May 31st, June 9th (respectively)
The photography studio at Politecnico di Milano
Education in Italy emphasizes the importance of communication as a strong companion to design. The schools here teach students cinematography, photography, writing and graphic design. It is important that students are able to express the idea behind the product in order to sell it to both the consumer and the manufacturer.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sapienza University of Rome, Presentation of Prof. Orlandi (Director of DATA Department), Lecture of Prof. Rullo
Sapienza University, DATA Department, Rome - Monday, June 20th
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
An excerpt from LAGO APPARTAMENTO - A Living Showroom
This is an excerpt from a book about LAGO's Appartamento concept. The book covers the story behind the appartamento concept and some short dialogues and reflections tangential to this idea. The book is currently floating around, so if you are interested in reading more from it, come find me, it might be in my hands. Anyway, I've copied an interesting section regarding a dialogue with Marco Bettiol (VIU) about the future and changes in the design world. Enjoy!
Re-inventing Made in Italy Dialogue with Marco Bettiol
With the appartamento, LAGO presented a highly innovative project and comment on the new values of design. In the Appartamento we organized a series of seminars, where we addressed the various elements that seemed to us to be the important factors for design – now and in the future.
During these seminars a number of interesting issues emerged regarding the evolution of design. A particularly interesting one was the conceptualisation of design in terms of it being a sense-making activity. We must now move from designing objects to designing meanings, because the new values of design are not about producing more and more objects (the world is already overflowing with them) but instead to produce meanings and to focus more on the immaterial side of the product. We believe that design has to be more about making sense of the world around us and to provide and create the new services and strategies that are really needed. Also of course products, but those products will be directly related to meanings.
Macro Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Architecture
The architecture of the Macro Contemporary Museum on Via Reggio Emilia was unique and intriguing. It maintained the historical building with a contemporary expansion and restoration to the museum designed by architect Odile Decq. The historical building was once the Peroni Brewery built in the early twentieth century. The architecture is meant to remove traditional boundaries and ignore the urban versus cultural existences.
Italian Neorealism
ISIA, Rome - Monday, June 20th
Still of Ossessione, 1942
Italian neorealism (Italian: Neorealismo) is a style of film characterized by stories set amongst the poor and working class, filmed on lcation, frequently using nonprofessional actors. Italian neorealist films mostly contend with the difficult economic and moral conditions of post-World War II Italy, reflecting the changes in the Italian psyche and the conditions of everyday life: poverty and desperation.
source: Wikipedia
Keyword: History
Lindsay, Michelle, Alan
Grand Tour of Italy
Twenty of Carleton University's industrial design students traveled overseas to Italy with the expectations to gain a better understanding of Italian design. Throughout June we traveled to Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice; visiting a vast range of studios, manufacturing plants, schools, museums and more. Guided by our instructor Lorenzo Imbesi, we met well established designers and other people working in the industry who gave us valuable insight pertaining to the direction of where Italian design is heading. Every day of our tour was packed with scheduled meetings; we were constantly on the move with camera and sketchbook in hand.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Fabrica- Exploring Forms of Communication
Fabrica, Venice- Sunday, June 19th, 2011
On June 14th, we visited Fabrica, a design think tank for the Benetton group researching different forms of communication. It is a great place for young designers to experiment, grow and express themselves.
Museums’ Interactive and Fun Bathrooms
Taking a look at the playful and innovative bathrooms of the Triennale and Macro Museum
Macro Museum, Rome and Triennale Museum, Milano – June 7th and 19th
 |
| Alan having fun with the interactive sink in the Macro Museum in Rome :D |
Over the four weeks that we have been on the Italian Design Grand Tour, we have seen an incredible amount of famous Italian designers and visited a multitude of their studios and museums. As we were absorbing the Italian culture, the stories and their design style, there is a side note to all of these that are humorous yet very unique and interactive – the bathrooms.
Renewal: History and Architecture
Maxxi Museum, MACRO Museum, Punta Della Dogana, Milan and Venice - June 17th / 19th
During our trip across Italy, we've visited many museums and art galleries, many of which were once churches, factories and various industrial buildings before being renewed and reused for the exhibition spaces they are now. Here are a few examples:
During our trip across Italy, we've visited many museums and art galleries, many of which were once churches, factories and various industrial buildings before being renewed and reused for the exhibition spaces they are now. Here are a few examples:
 |
| The Punta Della Dogana: aerial view and interior view |
THE ORIGIN AND DEMISE OF NEOPLASTICISM
MaXXi Museum (Museo Nazionale della Arti del XXI Secolo) - Sunday, June 19th, 2011
 |
| Neoplasticism painting by Piet Mondrian |
On June 19th we went to MaXXi, a contemporary art museum in Rome. While there we checked out an exhibit about Gerrit Rietveld, an influential Neoplasticism furniture designer and architect. This got me thinking about the whole Neoplasticism movement. I started wondering about its origin and its demise.
New Architecture and Historical Ruins: Auditorium Parco della Musica
Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome - Sunday, June 19th, 2011
 |
| Ancient ruins uncovered underneath construction of the Parco della Musica |
On June 19th, we visited the Auditorium Parco della Musica - a cluster of three concert halls in Rome used for music events. The three buildings are laid out around a central outdoor amphitheatre. They look like three large beetles nestled together, or as the locals have said, like blobs, cockroaches, scarabs, turtles, insect carapaces, or even computer mice.
MAXXI: Art and Architecture in the 21st Century
MAXXI Museum, Rome - Sunday, June 19th
The MAXXI Museum, short for "the Museum of Art in the 21st Century", was completed in 2009 by Zaha Hadid Architects. 10 years in the works, it is built on the site of former military barracks and was planned to be not only a center for the display of artwork, but a research workshop for different contemporary languages of design, fashion and cinema.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Fratelli Barbini (Video)
Fratelli Barbini - Murano, Venice - Friday, June 17th, 2011
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
Nason Moretti (Video)
Nason Moretti - Murano, Venice - Friday, June 17th, 2011
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
Gallino Ferro (Video)
Gallino Ferro - Murano, Venice - Friday, June 17th, 2011
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
- Alan, Michelle, Lindsay
Murano - Community of glass specialists
Murano, Venice - Friday, June 17th, 2011
Murano is an island of Venice where many small glass companies are located. Many of these companies specialize in certain types of glass products. For example, stores which sells ornamental glass lighting, decorative mirrors and glass kitchenware can be easily found all over the Murano.
Punta Della Dogana
Punta Della Dogana, Venice - Friday, June 17th, 2011
 |
| Punta Della Dogana |
On June 17th, we visited the triangular shaped Punta Della Dogana which is a centre for contemporoary art in Venice. It used to be a customs house for the city, but was renovated in 2008 to what it is today by architect Tadao Ando. It is now owned by both the City of Venice and Palazzo Grassi. The Francois Pinault collection of works which we saw there that day was an inspiring eclectic mix of contemporary art housed by a beautifully renovated historical building.
The Changing Future of Murano Island
Nason Moretti, Murano Venezia - Friday June 17th
Murano Island has built it’s heritage on glass, waking before the sun and sleeping when the kilns are retired for the evening. It is a quiet place that draws tourists from Venice for day trips to this quint, crafty island. I was lucky enough to personally experience this wonderful art of glass blowing and fell in love with the charm of the sleepy streets of Murano, but what role does a one industry region play in an increasingly globalized world?
Murano Island has built it’s heritage on glass, waking before the sun and sleeping when the kilns are retired for the evening. It is a quiet place that draws tourists from Venice for day trips to this quint, crafty island. I was lucky enough to personally experience this wonderful art of glass blowing and fell in love with the charm of the sleepy streets of Murano, but what role does a one industry region play in an increasingly globalized world?
NasonMoretti
NasonMoretti, Murano Venice - Friday June 17th, 2011
On June 17th, we were fortunate enough to visit the NasonMoretti factory in Murano. They have been producing beautiful glassworks since 1925 and are constantly researching new techniques to produce innovative, unique products.
The User and their Environment
ISIA, Florence - Friday, June 3rd, 2011
Nason Moretti Factory, Venice - Friday, June 17th, 2011
Through the consideration of our senses, David Palterer and Nason Moretti emphasizes the relationship between users and their environment.
Reflections of Murano
Fratelli Barbini Glass Mirror Company, Murano, Venice - Friday, June 17th, 2011
While on Murano Island in Venice, we visited a company called Fratelli Barbini, which manufactures ornate mirrors in the Ventian traditional style. Fratelli Barbini has aways been a small family company, and can trace it's traditions back to the 17th century when Girolamo Barbini created beautiful mirrors for the royal palace in Versailles.
One of the most interesting parts of our visit to Murano was learning all of the techniques and processes used to make these beautiful creations. Below is a step-by-step guide on how traditiona Venetian mirrors are made.
 |
A detailed corner view of a completed mirror. |
While on Murano Island in Venice, we visited a company called Fratelli Barbini, which manufactures ornate mirrors in the Ventian traditional style. Fratelli Barbini has aways been a small family company, and can trace it's traditions back to the 17th century when Girolamo Barbini created beautiful mirrors for the royal palace in Versailles.
One of the most interesting parts of our visit to Murano was learning all of the techniques and processes used to make these beautiful creations. Below is a step-by-step guide on how traditiona Venetian mirrors are made.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
La Biennale di Venezia - Photography at the Arsenale
La Biennale di Venezia, Arsenale, Venice - Thursday, June 16th, 2011
On June 16th, we visited La Biennale di Venezia. The Biennale this year was named Illuminations. The morning was at the Gardini and the afternoon was at the Arsenale. Both locations were gorgeous - the Gardini was filled with Pavillions that each housed a different nation. There was so much to see in just the morning, and then even more in the afternoon. You would definintely need a whole week to see all of the exhibits!
Korean Pavilion at the 54th Biennale
54th Biennale, Venice Giardini - Thursday June 16th, 2011
At the Venice Biennale, the Korean Pavilion presented numerous multimedia works by artist Lee Yongbaek. The exhibition of which he titled, "The Love is Gone but the Scar will Heal", explores identity and existentialism in the world of contemporary societies filled with pain. Represented in a piece of his work that I found particularly interesting was called, Pieta, in which human-like cast-molded sculptures were positioned in various stances. These various stances depicted numerous themes and messages that illustrates the pain and history of Korea's modern politics, and its hope for the future.
In the above photo, 'self-hatred' is illustrated where the molded figure is found destroying the mold from which it was made.
A Quick Look At The Biennale
Biennale, Venice - June 16th
A Map of the Biennale Locations in Venice
The Biennale de Venezia is an international art event that takes place every other year in Venice. Over 100 countries have pavilions dispersed around the city while there are about 40 permanent exhibition spaces. Countries such as Canada, and Spain are divided into two sections: the Giardini (Gardens) and the Arsenale (Armoury).
Danish Pavilion at the 54th Biennale
54th Biennale, Venice Giardini - Thursday June 16th 2011
Many pavilions at the 54th Biennale in Venice were displaying art installations that were neither interactive, nor meaningful to an international audience. The installations were interesting to look at from an aesthetic point of view, but were lacking a meaningful topic that visitors from all over the world could relate to. The Bienalle is a meeting place for artists from all over the world to display their work, so it would be best if they chose this special occasion to communicate a remarkable idea to the audience.
La Biennale di Venezia: History and Traditions
La Biennale di Venezia, Venice - June 16th
While in Venice, we attended the Biennale of Art in Giardini and Arsendale. It takes place every odd year, in conjunction with the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which takes place every even year. It is associated with great history and traditions, making it one of the biggest and most prestigious exhibitions in Italy.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Fabrica Renews Zanotta Products with "Trans-Forma"
Fabrica, Benetton Group Research Centre, Treviso - Wenesday, June 15th, 2011
"Sciangai" designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Displayed at the Milan International Furniture Show in April 2009, The Trans-Forma project is a good example of renewal and inspiration. The young designers of Fabrica took seventeen Zanotta products and gave them new life with a simple re-interpretation.
Colour Me Impressed: Interactive Window Displays
Fabrica by Bennetton Group, Venice – June 15, 2011
Screen shots of our own Colors in Movement experience. Michelle and I also made an animated gif, you can see here! http://colorsofmovement.net/post/6830942362
While in Milan I wrote a post about the window displays I noticed while walking some of the major streets. I spoke briefly about the time and thought that is evidently behind the design of each window, and the trends that I observed. Our recent visit to Fabrica presented a perfect opportunity for me to relate back to my previous post, and to give a more detailed example of a specific type of window display that we learned about while we were there.
Located just outside of Venice, Fabrica is a communication and research facility founded by the Bennetton Group. It was built as a creative space for aspiring young artists and designers as a place where they are able to collaborate on conceptual, innovative and ground-breaking projects. Since its inception in 1994, the members of Fabrica have developed numerous projects, including art installations, furniture, documentaries, and advertising campaigns. One of their more recent projects, developed and realized by Paulo Barcelos, is a window display created for the United Colors of Bennetton retail stores.
Fabrica - Communication of Social Issues
Fabrica by Benetton Group, Venice - Wednesday, June 15, 2011
 |
| The building which Fabrica runs out of. |
On Wednesday we visited Fabrica which is seemingly located in the middle of nowhere but is actually in the heart of an industrial district and where the Benetton Group first began. The building itself was designed by Tadao Ando, the famous Japanese architect, and mixes the classic 17th century villas with a modern style made of concrete, aluminum and glass.
Foscarini - Innovation and Collaboration
Foscarini, Venice - Wedsday, June 15th, 2011
Foscarini is an innovative lighting company which started out as a small company doing contract lighting in small series using Murano glass. They do not produce any of their own products anymore, which they see as their biggest strength, since it allows them to be flexible and design for the initial idea/concept instead of changing the design to fit the material.
 |
| Allegro and Allegretto, 2007 - by Atellier Oi |
Breaking Tradition
Foscarini Headquaters, Venice - Wednesday, June 15th
Foscarini started off as a traditional contract-based glass blowing company. The transition of the company to turn away from just solely glass occurred after receiving several “problematic” design proposals of lights that could be done in glass, but not in a way which would be cost effective or practical.
Fabrica, Benetton’s Communication and Research Centre.
Fabrica, Treviso (near Venice) - Wednesday, June 15th
With a modern complex built into the remains of an ancient villa from the 17th century, the fusion of the past and the present designed by architect Tadao Ando created Fabrica, Benetton’s communication and research centre.
Financed by Benetton, Fabrica, with the aim of combining culture and industry, was established in 1994 and is located in Treviso (near Venice). It welcomes young artists and designers with a one year study grant from all around the world to work together and develop projects with a focus on social issues. Mediums in which they use to express their work include design, music, film, photography, publishing and web development under the guidance of experts.
For more information, visit
Image Sources: Fabrica Complex
Shannon, Victoria, Calvin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)