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Italian Design Day in the World 2018

On March 1, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles will present a special event exploring the relationship between design and sustainability with a presentation by the Roman artist and architect Massimo Catalani, an exhibit highlighting the connection between design, art, and handicraft and a round table with design experts.

The event is organized on the occasion of the second edition of Italian Design Day in the World, an initiative created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). Among the goals of the initiative – states the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Antonio Verde – “is to promote design as a true Italian cultural tradition, deeply rooted in all the different regions, and a driving force for our industrial production and exports. This second edition of the Italian Design Day, focused on the theme of sustainability – adds the Consul General – highlights the Italian effort to create a style that marries functionality and aesthetics with respect for the environment.”

The evening will open with a presentation by Massimo Catalani, one of the 100 testimonials chosen by MAECI as “Ambassadors” of Italian Design in the World. Catalani’s latest works focus on sea life and marine wildlife conservation, against illegal fishing.

The program also includes the opening of the exhibit Delineo: Italia Bellissima Meets Valerio Berruti. The show brings to Los Angeles for the first time handmade creations, fabrics and ceramics from the diverse regions of Italy, part of the project Italia Bellissima by the architect Andrea Capellino, as well as frescoes, drawings, tapestries and a sculpture by the painter and sculptor Valerio Berruti, internationally renowned for his direct approach, essential lines and everyday subjects. “I am enthusiastic to collaborate in this project – declares Valerio Berruti – because I maintain the importance of dialog between art and handicraft. As classical art influenced craftspeople, I believe it is important to champion a new concept of handicraft that is the child of contemporary art with roots in the past but living in the present.

Massimo Catalani, Valerio Berruti and Andrea Capellino will take part in a round table discussion with Los Angeles based designer Francesca Garcia- Marques and Elena Pacenti, Dean of the Domus Academy School of Design at New School of Architecture & Design in San Diego. The panel will be moderated by Carlo Caccavale, Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Los Angeles.

During the course of the evening Catalani, Berruti, and Capellino will receive the IIC Los Angeles Creativity Award, which recognizes international Italian excellence. Inspired by the ceiling of the Pantheon in Rome, the award was designed specifically for the Institute by internationally known artist and fashion designer Emilio Cavallini.

Massimo Catalani will also participate on March 2 in the AIA conference 2°C: A COTE AIA|LA Symposium on Climate Change held in Downtown Los Angeles.

Italian Design Day – An initiative created in 2017 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (MiBACT), the Triennale di Milano, the Italian Trade Agency, the Salone del Mobile di Milano, the Association for Industrial Design, the Compasso d’Oro Foundation and the Altagamma Foundation, as part of the project “Vivere ALL’Italiana” which promotes Italy’s culture, economy, language and scientific research. www.esteri.it 

Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles (IIC) – Founded in 1984 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to promote Italian culture in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Directed by Valeria Rumori since 2015, the Institute promotes Italian Language through language courses and events in collaboration with numerous local institutions with the goal of presenting Italy in all of its cultural richness: architecture, cinema, design, literature, music, science, technology, theater and the visual arts. www.iiclosangeles.esteri.it www.facebook.com/iicla www.twitter.com/iiclosangeles 

Massimo Catalani – Rome, 1960. After studying architecture, he chose to devote himself to painting. After his initial collective exhibitions with irreverent subjects as triptychs of chili peppers and one solo show in Rome, he exhibited his works in Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and New York, where he presented “L.I.F.E”, Italy seen through painting of its food. He brought the show “The Roots of Italian Wine” to Japan. He collaborated with Greenpeace on two campaigns against the use of GMOs in Parmigiano Reggiano, and against nuclear energy and for an installation at the Slow Fish Salon in Genoa. His works were featured in the movies by Pupi Avati, Cristina Comencini, Alessandro Benvenuti, and Jaume Collet-Serra. In 2013 for the “Casa dei Pesci”project in Grosseto, Tuscany, he created a 10 ton Carrara marble sculpture. In 2015 he presented his short film “There She Blows” at the Art Doc Festival, while his “Ittico Zigguratt” is included in first submarine museum against illegal bottom trawling. In 2017 he continued his exploration of environmental issues. www.massimocatalani.com

Valerio Berruti – Alba, 1977. A graduate of the D.A.M.S. in art criticism in Turin, he lives and works in Verduno (CN). In 2009 he was the youngest artist at Italian Pavilion of the 53rd Venice Biennale with the video animation: Isacco’s Daughter. His credits include numerous exhibitions in Tokyo, Belgrado, Johannesburg and Singapore. In 2014 he took part in the EXPO World Fair in Pechino. In 2015 his work Udaka was displayed in the exhibit Holy Mystery, organized by Santo Volto Church of Torino, for the showing of the Sacred Shroud. In 2016 he published for Gallucci Editor “Come il Vento tra i Salici”, a flipbook made of 71 boards which animate rare translation of Beppe Fenoglio’s “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Graham. www.valerioberruti.com 

Andrea Capellino – Asti, 1974. Passionate about craftsmanship, he works with marble and stone to create sculptures. Active both in Europe and the US, Capellino aims at creating projects to promote Italian artisanal products. In 2001 he founded the studio Andrea Capellino, today Capellino Architettura, dedicated to residential architecture, preservation, restauration, commercial architecture, and design. In 2013 together with architect Ando, Andrea Capellino founded Capellino Design & Partners, whose work ranges from indoor objects to trade show design. In 2014 with Architect Gianuzzi he founded the AG Architettura, which specializes in residential projects. With the goal of promoting and developing the “Made in Italy” craftsmanship in all its aspects he founded Italia Bellissima, which is also the subject of a children’s book he has authored. www.capellino.it 

Italia Bellissima – A project supported by Capellino Architettura and a network of Italian architecture and interior design companies dedicated to the promotion of artisanal excellence and expertise rooted in the traditions of the different regions of Italy. It is a dialogue between architecture, design and craftsmanship. The artisan who can use the brand Italia Bellissima for their work must adhere to its manifesto according to which productions must be unique and completely made in Italy, with respect for the environment, and the genius loci, and the result of fair working practices. Following these rules, between 2009 and 2014, Architect Andrea Capellino designed, built and decorated a villa in Costa Mesa, CA. Thanks to Italia Bellissima, over 100 artisans exported their production to the US, Northern Europe, Great Britain and Australia. www.italiabellissima.com 

DELINEO: ITALIA BELLISSIMA MEETS VALERIO BERRUTI
Istituto Italiano di Cultura – 1023 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024 – USA
Opening by invitation only March 1, 2018
Open to the public March 2 – May 31 2018. Monday – Thursday 10 am – 1 pm and 13 and 2-5 pm; Saturday 10 am -1 pm Closed on Sundays. Free entrance