Here is the first project promoted by VESTIGIA, a new initiative connected to the world of collectible design and contemporary art
Hosted in the splendid setting of Villa Marie and curated by designer Jonathan Bocca, the exhibition Design in a Real World is the first project promoted by VESTIGIA, a new initiative tied to the world of collectible design and contemporary art. Founded to foster deep connections between objects, places, and people, VESTIGIA aims to create synergies and support the bond between the world of craftsmanship, Italian designers, and the Tuscan region.
Design in a Real World: a deep connection between design and the Tuscan territory
Design in a Real World celebrates the deep connection between design and the Tuscan region, home to many of the featured designers and historically renowned for its artisanal richness. The “real world” in the title contrasts the constructed, artificial, and often frenetic attitude of urban life and industrial design with a slower, more reflective, local and artisanal perspective—one that characterizes both the self-produced works on display and life outside major urban centers.
New techniques and tradition
Open to the public on June 8 and 9—and by appointment until September 28—the project emphasizes works that are not products but processes, whose beauty arises from the craftsmanship that defines them, the choice of materials, and the exploration of new techniques that intersect with tradition. The participating designers, through a hands-on approach and direct interaction with materials, carry forward this vision with work that blends creativity and manual skill.
Previewing the exhibition are: the Oculus Celestia mirror designed by Costantino Gucci, the Cross candelabra by Daniele Giannetti, the bench from the Subtraction collection by Duccio Maria Gambi, and the lamp from the Tradizione II collection by Jonathan Bocca.
Among the protagonists of this year’s edition
Bunker Gallery with a project by Ilaria D’Atri, Jonathan Bocca, Cosimo Bonciani, CCONTINUA+MAMT, Finemateria, FMM Design, Pietro Franceschini, Duccio Maria Gambi, Daniele Giannetti, Costantino Gucci, Iammi, Millim Studio, Movimento Gallery, Sara Ricciardi.
Bocca: “These works embody materiality, care, and respect for impermanence”
“The exhibition presents a selection of new and existing projects, chosen for their connection to the territory and their alignment with artisanal practices,” explains Jonathan Bocca, the exhibition’s curator and a native of Tuscany. “The works, exhibited in the villa’s outdoor spaces, embody materiality, care, and a respect for impermanence.”
A historic 18th-century residence restored to its original splendor thanks to the vision and dedication of owners Marleen and Luc Van Marcke, Villa Marie is nestled in the greenery just steps from the village of Vorno, in the heart of Tuscany. With Design in a Real World, the estate—normally a destination for exclusive private stays—transforms into an open-air stage where design deeply listens to the territory and every piece enters into dialogue with nature.
