One of Martino's recommendations was to visit the architecture biennale happening in Venice while we were there, called OUT THERE-Architecture Beyond Building. Set in the gardens at the bottom of the Venice, almost every country in the world was represented by their own pavilion (no-not ugly plastic tents but architect designed, almost permanent, freestanding buildings) to showcase concepts of future architecture, without being restricted to the idea of a building- much like haute-couture isn't really wearable on the street, the designs were imaginative and not constrained to the idea of actual buildings, but what a space could be if the architect were to think 'beyond building'. It was creatively unrestrained and almost overwhelming to see so many ideas and models trying to outdo one another in such a historical setting. The exhibition continued in the Arsanale area, an old military yard, where some of the bigger names like Zaha Hadid and Gehry architects were given room for large scale installations to show what they thought was going to happen next in architecture. We took loads of photos but here are just a few....!
ITALIAN FAVOURITES: The smell and touch of buttery leather handbags in Florence, the taste of seafood marinara in the Cinque Terre after 6 hours of trekking the misty coastline, the train ride through Verona which brought to mind Romeo & Juliet as we witnessed a very old couple reunite with a kiss at the station, and learning to order a good cappuccino in Rome by simply adding the word 'Dopplio!' (Double shot!) I WISH I'D: Well, been born in Tuscany.
I know the current trend at the moment is hand made layers of love by talented crafts people, but not everyone can appreciate a doily the way they can a Kartell coffee table. I have a friend,Rosy, who unashamedly decked out her bub's new nursery with bold, bright and modern pieces from Top 3 Design, and she was the first person I thought of when I happened upon VINCON in Barcelona. VINCON gives IKEA some tough competition by taking the 'design supermarket' concept to a whole new level- same idea, but everything is an internationally recognised design piece...they even sell Aussie Charles Wilson's famous candelabra there, and the Aalto vase. Here are my top modern finds at VINCON, top to bottom: FLUM light and it's packaging, CORALLE children's toy, NOVOTAT firewood bag, PANTONE coloured notebooks, helmet cover and VINCON brand 2009 diary.
Barcelona brings new meaning to the words 'window shopping'. Barcelona does visual merchandising like nobody else. It's as thought there's a big competition going on for who can be the kookiest and most creative. So, I bought a cool tee by this label called Loreak Mendian, who also happen to be into amazing window displays...there are heaps of examples on their website along with their trendy but understated fashion line and amazing graphics projects. You must visit them here!
BARCELONA FAVOURITES: Finally tasting xurros & xocolat in Spain, the worn, peach coloured buildings, developing a good taste for mojitos, walking up to 20km a day to visit Gaudi's architecture across the city, and discovering that every shop, restaurant and bar in the city doubles as a conceptual design space- incredible! I WISH I'D- had a magic suitcase that allowed me to bring large design pieces home on the plane...oh, the furniture in BCN!
