Architecture, design, art, food. All we need is fashion to round out the mixture…
It’s true, only fashion is missing. But it is not excluded. This is a design area where stone can play a role. There have been experiments with eyewear and jewelry. We might be able to widen things in that direction. Fashion could become a vehicle of communication and application of stone materials. It would be an interesting challenge, that can be met today more than in the past. Technology permits it, because stone can now be crafted in precise ways, down to the smallest details.
Companies, designers, avant-garde technology: a complex mixture. What is the secret to cope with different protagonists, to create an ideal alchemy and achieve quality results?
There are various factors. A fair that works, a pavilion like “The Italian Stone Theatre” that becomes an attraction. For companies, designers and other creative talents, taking part is important. Being there is useful in terms of visibility and experimentation, which would otherwise not be possible. The companies gather around projects, collaborating with enthusiasm, and with important economic investments. An alchemy that also comes from the unique character of this event on an international level. The difficulties are ironed out by the extraordinary nature of the event, behind which lies a long, complex effort of interaction with companies and the choice of designers. You have to accept the challenge and do your best to respond to it. This is a ‘miracle’ in a sector where it is very hard to develop a system. For an opportunity like this one, though, the barriers vanish.
The Italian Stone Theatre has now reached its 5th iteration: can we take stock of the past and look to the future?
The overall results have been positive. There are only a few negative aspects: perhaps we initially proposed excessive investments on the part of the companies, so over the years some of them have shifted their interest elsewhere. So now we are working on balancing the economic commitment of each company, so that it can be renewed over time. On the positive side, the response of visitors, the increase in the number of companies taking part, the fair that was hesitant at first but now considers this to be a sign of excellence. For the future, I hope there will be more openness to experimentation, and more willingness to cooperate amongst companies. Above all, I hope for greater internationalization: at the moment, the producers are only Italian. I would like the dimension to become more global. The Italian Stone Theatre would remain, but we could also create other areas with an international focus, shedding light on the Italian technology whose utilization is widespread on a worldwide level.
5
