Nine tapestries are currently on display across three venues that hosted the Lake Como Design Festival 2023: five at Saint Pietro in Atrio, two at Villa Salazar, and two at the Sheraton Hotel.
These tapestries are part of the “Contemporary Tapestries” collection curated by Alberto Fiorenzi, who is also the founder and director of i-Mesh. The fifth edition of the Festival, held from September 16 to 24, 2023, commemorated the two thousandth anniversary of Pliny the Elder's stay in Como in 23 AD, with nature as its overarching theme.
The event celebrated the convergence of art, nature, and design, exploring the fusion of tradition with innovation. The presence of the Contemporary Tapestries alongside i-Mesh fabric was a pivotal component. We spoke with Alberto Fiorenzi to elucidate the significance of the collection and its relationship with i-Mesh.
"To illustrate the connection between the Tapestries and i-Mesh, we envisioned an architectural installation on Villa Olmo’s façade. The display of three large panels paid tribute to i-Mesh’s most monumental and dynamic urban installation yet: fifty-three thousand square meters of retractable roofing integrated into the urban fabric of Expo City in Dubai. These panels, initially discarded due to minor imperfections, found new purpose in this initiative.
Adapted in size and appearance, they exemplify our approach at i-Mesh. We design our products for longevity, often not necessitating recycling until 20-30 years post-production, or perhaps not at all depending on usage. However, ownership changes or relocations may prompt modifications or adaptations. Our preference leans towards reuse rather than recycling, fostering sustainability and minimizing energy costs.
The sustainability of any material hinges on the energy required for its creation and disposal. These topics are integral to our discussions with creators, involving them in material development. Acceptance of our invitation immerses them in our world of zero waste, zero environmental impact, no surplus stock, and minimal energy consumption.
In practice, we encourage them to express themselves artistically through our product, influencing their architectural endeavors. We aspire that collaboration with i-Mesh will inspire cooperation with all material manufacturers. Architects, aware of sustainability's significance in their profession, find numerous connections. Contemporary Tapestries represent our ongoing visual research, a paradigm of our daily collaboration with architects opting for i-Mesh.
Architects or artists invited to design a tapestry are challenged to envision thread-based works. This request tests our production limits with each endeavor. Insights from tapestry production often inform our architectural surface creations. For instance, Ico Migliore favors tapestries with varying densities, believing i-Mesh's transparency fosters dialogue with its surroundings. While the surface remains prominent, it coexists within its environment.
Density gradients in Migliore's tapestries inspired a technical application. When devising architectural façades for interior comfort, we employ surfaces with variable densities. This approach strategically positions shading to counter glare and excess heat while harnessing natural light.
Marco Ferreri’s 'Forte Fibra' tapestries enlightened us on managing raw material reflectance. Mineral fibers' light-reactive properties influence their placement, ensuring enduring aesthetic intrigue. Giovanna Latis’ tapestry exploration of color blends and melange fibers expanded our palette.
Each tapestry encapsulates a unique narrative, offering continual learning opportunities. Is "Contemporary Tapestries" the fruit of artistic research or high design? My curatorial approach carefully navigates this duality, presenting pieces as both art and design. Works align with artists’ research trajectories; for instance, Graphic Surgery’s urban wall paintings speak a visual language of their own, earning artistic merit. Conversely, Marco Ferreri’s thematic explorations employing diverse materials exemplify high design.
Crafting a tapestry instills pride in our artisans, bridging craftsmanship with technology. This ethos extends to i-Mesh production, contributing to visual, lighting, and thermal comfort, enhancing urban and residential aesthetics. This holistic approach defines our sustainability commitment. Soft Architecture shapes our strategy, articulated in the film 'Softness. i-Mesh. Designing the city' by i-Mesh, a manifesto spotlighting architects as catalysts for a better world.”
