| |
AROUND THE CITY
We’ll bring you stories from all across Cardiff over forthcoming issues. Here’s a few stories we thought you may find interesting.
|
|
CITYWIDE
Strada presents the illy Art Collection
A unique exhibition, twenty years
in the making and conceived to
combine the aesthetic pleasure of
art with the sensory pleasure of
coffee, will arrive in Cardiff this
August.
Featuring 286 espresso coffee cups interpreted by some of the greatest artists of our generation, including Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg and Marina Abramovic, Strada presents the illy Art Collection, aims to transform the everyday act of drinking a cup of coffee into an experience involving all the senses.
The exhibition - part of Strada's 10th birthday celebrations - blends illy's passion for all things beautiful and its appreciation of modern art.
The Collection also includes cup designs from some of the most influential contributors to film and music. Works by Francis Ford Coppola, David Byrne, Federico Fellini and Pedro Almódovar will also be showcased in the Strada restaurant in Cardiff.
The Collection though is not just about 'famous names'. Over the past 20 years illy has also collaborated with lesser known artists and students from all over the world to give them an opportunity to express themselves through its porcelain cups.
The illy Art Collection began when the company changed the design of its espresso cup in 1990. Ernesto Illy wanted to create a new, exclusively shaped, cup that could also stand on its own as a work of art. He contacted the designer and architect Matteo Thun to design it and the "illy" espresso cup, as a signature piece, was born.
Twenty years on and the exclusively shaped cup is now used in more than 50,000 of the best restaurants and coffee bars in the world, including Strada in Cardiff.
The illy Art Collection cups, all signed, numbered and produced in limited editions, are coveted by art lovers and coffee lovers alike. Rare cups, such as those initially made by Thun in 1990, can fetch as much as £2,500 in private sale.
Carlo Bach, artistic director at illycaffè, says, "With each espresso cup, we are creating a piece of art that can be viewed, touched and cradled in the hand. The Collection elevates and enhances our everyday coffee experience. It illustrates our passion for all things beautiful and well-made."
Strada presents the illy Art Collection runs from 5th- 18th August at Strada, 24 Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 5BZ. The exhibition is open seven days a week from 11.30 am until 10.30 pm, and is free of charge.
|
|
