ALPI has unveiled the outcomes of its latest collaboration with renowned designer Konstantin Grcic. The exhibition, titled “Mostly Sunny with Spells of Rain,” is set to take place at the Rimessa dei Fiori, a new location with industrial charm in the heart of Milan. This marks the fifth annual exhibition organized by ALPI, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between industry and design.
Following successful collaborations with Martino Gamper, Alessandro Mendini, Piero Lissoni, and Ron Arad, ALPI has turned to Konstantin Grcic, a designer celebrated for his profound understanding of wood. Grcic’s approach, marked by artistic and technological innovation, promises to bring a fresh perspective to ALPI veneers.
These collaborations serve as a crucial platform for architects and designers to craft unique projects, shaping ALPI veneers into one-of-a-kind objects that blend art and design. Vittorio Alpi, the company’s president, emphasizes the intention behind these partnerships: “The aim is to illustrate the possibilities of our veneers by offering free rein to creativity.”
Grcic’s design expression is characterized by geometric shapes, formal rigor, and functionalism, resulting in minimal objects with no superfluous features. The exhibition will feature a series of mostly vertical totems made of irregular volumes with sudden shifts of angle, showcasing six full-scale pieces that are uniquely sculptural.
EXHIBITIONS
The totems are adorned with three wood veneers designed by Grcic: Arcobaleno and Raggiosole, both previously presented at the Milan Furniture Fair, and the new veneer Nebbia Mattutina, making its debut during this exhibition.
Arcobaleno, meaning “rainbow” in Italian, boasts a vibrant spectrum of hues resembling the iris of an eye. Raggiosole, translating to “sunbeam,” features warm tonalities transitioning from red-orange to ivory, orange-red, and black. Nebbia Mattutina, unveiled for the first time, blends warm and cool colors in an alternated sequence of light blue, red, orange, and white.
Grcic’s veneer designs result from extensive research and development in color, a fundamental element of ALPI’s production culture. The innovative color blending technique creates a perfect ombré effect from a distance and a natural veining illusion up close.
The exhibition not only highlights Grcic’s creative prowess but also showcases ALPI’s unparalleled ability to translate designers’ visions into reality. The challenge posed by this project underscores the creative potential inherent in ALPI wood, pushing the boundaries of color studies within the company’s culture.
“The title ‘Mostly Sunny with Spells of Rain’ cites a typical weather forecast from the evening news. The weather serves as a metaphor for an ever-changing reality which is a strong driving force in my creative process. It reflects the many facets of the artistic journey, where ideas blend with introspection, where bursts of inspiration alternate with moments of deep thought. In a constantly evolving world, our awareness is challenged to question and adjust our perspectives. The veneers I developed with Vittorio Alpi and his team embody this perpetual flux. It’s not just about transitioning from one colour to another; it’s about experiencing reality anew each time. The morning was mostly sunny, but in the afternoon there were spells of rain,”
says Grcic.
For more information, visit www.alpi.it
