43rd Edition of Marmomacc. Verona, October 2-5, 2008
Il Casone, A Leader in Design and Innovation
On Thursday, June 5th, the 43rd edition of Marmomacc and the International Show of Marble, Stone, Design and Technology (Internazionale di Marmi, Pietre, Design e Tecnologie) organized by Veronafiere was presented at a press conference under the guise of the Triennale di Milano.
The primary theme of this edition of Marmomacc focuses on providing a concrete contribution to the economy, utilizing specific initiatives aimed at architects, and designers, who utilize natural stone both in indoor and outdoor contexts.
This objective, proposed also in previous editions, puts a higher focus on innovation, both in terms of design and specialized training. This theme resonated from all of the participating speakers who presented the new edition (Luisa Bocchietto, President of ADI Associazione per il Disegno Industriale, Gianfranco Castellani, Vice Presidente - Vicario Verona Fiere, Fulvio Irace, Historian and Art Critic dell’Architettura Direttore Sezione Architettura della Triennale di Milano, Alberto Bartolomei, CEO - IL CASONE.)
Paramount among the success of the last edition, and proposed again this year, was the presentation of the BEST COMMUNICATOR AWARD, which recognized the accomplishments of an exhibitor who best presented the constructive and decorative potential of stone in their design concept. IL CASONE, winner of the award last year with their project designed by Kengo Kuma, will be among the participants again this year at “Marmomacc: Incontro Il Design”. Nine leading companies who work in stone will collaborate with internationally acclaimed designers and focus on one theme. For 2008, that focus is “Pelle, Skin, Texture” emphasizing the most expressive elements of stone that is, its color and texture.
“It was an important experience and thanks to the collaboration with Kengo Kuma a new prospective has developed both in terms of the project and of the level of communication. This year we will repeat the initiative in hopes that it will assist it’s growth in a way that is very innovative.” commented Alberto Bartolomei, CEO of IL CASONE Spa at the presentation of the Best Communicator Award.
After Kengo Kuma, IL CASONE will collaborate this year with Claudio Silvestrin, minimalist architect who favors the use of natural materials. Among his most recent recognitions he has received the Medaglia D’Oro all’Architettura Italiana in 2003 and was the winner of the Premio Internazionale Archittetura di Pietra in 2005 for his work in the Giorgio Armani stores.
Thanks to Marmomacc, IL CASONE will participate in the XXIII International Conference of Architects UIA (Congresso Internazionale degli Architetti UIA), that will take place in Torino from June 29th to July 3rd. Marmomacc, in fact, will utilize the exact expressive model created last year by Kuma for Il Casone to stage its space dedicated to the formation at the Oval. In addition, the workshop with the emblematic title SOFT-STONE Origami of stone (SOFT-STONE Origami di pietra) will take place on June 30th at 5:00pm in the Lingotto in the Londra Room and will permit the Japanese artist to approach the complexities faced when utilizing stone proposed in his works. The workshop and Kuma’s presence at the International Conference of Architects UIA will be of utmost importance as he will participate in opening ceremonies and in the events in the days following.
Other initiatives expected a Marmomacc include: the Construction in High Altitude Areas conference (COSTRUIRE NELLE TERRE ALTE) by Vincenzo Pavan; the exhibit on the GRAND HOTEL SALGARI: THE WORLD IN ONE ROOM (GRAND HOTEL SALGARI: IL MONDO IN UNA STANZA), realized in collaboration with Abitare Il Tempo, and numerous contributions from the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Crafts and Agriculture of Verona and the exhibit PALLADIO E IL DESIGN LITICO, which will present objects of design made of stone dedicated to the great architect.