Luisa Via Roma creates 'Bridge of Love' on the Arno

Inaugurated on 14 June, ’Bridge of Love’ was a floating exhibition curated by Luisa Via Roma’s creative director, Valentina Guidi Ottobri

(Image credit: Luisa Via Roma)

By Elisa Carassai

last updated 29 July 2022

in Features

On the 50th anniversary of the flood that submerged Florence in 1966, Luisa Via Roma, the famous Italian retailer, pays homage to the city by presenting 'Design on Water', a new group show held on the city's waterways.

Floating around the Arno River was ‘Bridge of Love’ – an immersive (though luckily not immersed) installation of nine floating cubicles designed by architect Claudio Nardi.

Inaugurated on 14 June in collaboration with Sky Arte HD, the floating exhibition was curated by Valentina Guidi Ottobri of Luisa Via Roma. An ongoing exploration of individuality through the many allegories associated with water, the exhibition also highlighted one of the hot topics in international affairs right now: the plight of immigrants across Europe. Featuring artistic collaborations with big design studios such as Dilmos, Magis, Secondome Gallery, CTRLZAK Art & Design Studio and Bitossi, each artist presented their unique take on water’s oxymoronic symbolism, reflecting on the world’s current happenings.

A plethora of alchemical installations saw art and design fused by CTRLZAK, Lapo Ciatti and Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba; an interactive eco-friendly project by Magis; ethereal light sculptures by Puglia-based artist Daniele Papuli; interesting looking ceramics by Alessio Sarri for Bitossi and Matteo Cibic; and organic furniture designed by Stefano Marolla for Secondome. Across the entire 'Bridge of Love' offering, the viewer was encouraged to experiment with their senses, navigating through perception.

water lily in cubicle glass container — The show was an immersive (though luckily not immersed) installation of nine floating cubicles designed by architect Claudio Nardi. Pictured: Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba’s ethereal sculpture, *Heart with Waterlily*

white whale with drawing and writing on it — The show featured artistic collaborations with big design studios such as Dilmos, Magis, Secondome Gallery, CTRLZAK Art & Design Studio and Bitossi. Pictured: Magis’ eco-friendly interactive piece *As Big As A Whale* invited viewers to paint the largest animal in the world, the whale, in an original way

wine glasses on mirror — An ongoing exploration of individuality through the many allegories associated with water, the exhibition also highlighted one of the hot topics in international affairs right now: the plight of immigrants across Europe. Pictured: *Waterness* was an experimental workshop created by CTRLZAK Art & Design Studio, which aimed at teaching the viewer a lesson on the value of water

white ceramic structures standing in water — Matteo Cibic’s *Lagoona* was a ceramic representation of the creatures lurking in the depths of the ocean

gold and white animal structures on mud — These refined sculptures were also presented at this year’s Salone del Mobile as original work for the jewellery brand Dodo

wood with wavey surface — Across the entire ’Bridge of Love’ offering, the viewer was encouraged to experiment with their senses, navigating through perceptions. Pictured: *Pack*, Stefano Marolla’s installation piece for Secondome Gallery, was a work of movement inspired by draping, waves and dunes

white floor with blue lines — Puglia based artist Daniele Papuli’s etheral light sculptures, *Rippled Wave,* portrayed the beauty in water’s fluidity

structure of black birds standing on floor covered in blue substance — *Migration* was an installation delving into the themes of the sea and transience, by Bitossi Ceramiche and Alessio Sarri

white ropes with red flowers — Lapo Ciatti’s *Hope* installation was inspired by the literal meaning of the word ’rope’ – an item that provides something to hold on to

INFORMATION

’Design on Water’ ran from 14–17 June. For more information, visit the Luisa Via Roma website

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