The Italian Embassy in Tbilisi and the Regional Office of the Italian Trade & Investment Agency (ITA) marked the return of the “Italian Design Days” traditional event dedicated to the beauty of Italian design, restoration and architecture, as well as to the rich co-operation with Georgia in such fields.
Traditionally, all Italian Design Days held annually share the same goal: bringing in Georgia the unique beauty and know-how of Italy’s design, strengthening ties between the respective architectural communities and keep fostering co-operation with Georgia in the related spheres.
This year’s edition focused on the main theme “Enlightening quality: The energy of design for people and environment”.
On this occasion, Tbilisi hosted an exceptional ‘Ambassador’, Architect Michele De Lucchi – the author of buildings which are now iconic parts of the inimitable landscape of the Georgian capital, inspiring architecture enthusiasts from all over the world. Maestro De Lucchi held a lectio magistralis at the Tbilisi State Academy of Art, revolving around his idea of architecture spanning 360 degrees. Drawing on his experiences in Tbilisi, he led the Georgian public on a journey through past, present and future of the city.
De Lucchi explored his experiences with designing architectural landmarks in Tbilisi, such as the Bridge of Peace, in his talk.
The Ambassador of Italy in Georgia H.E. Enrico Valvo inaugurated, alongside the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Irakli Karseladze, and the Rector of the aforementioned Academy, Karaman Kutateladze, three exhibitions.
This was made possible thanks to three key contributors: respectively, the Italian National Council of Architects, Planners, Conservative Landscapers (CNAPPC), the editorial team of the magazine “Domus Georgia” and Milan’s European Institute of Design (IED).
“I am extremely glad to inaugurate the “Italian Design Days” in Georgia, organized by the Embassy in collaboration with the regional office of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). I am happy that our annual event dedicated to the beauty of Italian design, restoration and architecture – as well as to co-operation with Georgia – has become such a participated and vital tradition. This year’s edition focuses on the main theme “Enlightening quality: The energy of design for people and environment”. On this occasion, I am very proud of the presence of an exceptional ‘Ambassador’, Architect Michele De Lucchi, a true star of this field whose works are well known and studied internationally. As you know, he authored buildings in Tbilisi, which are now icons of the Georgian capital’s landscape, inspiring architecture enthusiasts from all over the world,” the Ambassador stated.
IED also presented a new edition of the popular creativity competition dedicated to young designers in Georgia, entitled “When Italian Design Meets Georgian Creativity: Quality Matters!”. Within such competition, a scholarship, fully covered by IED, for a course in English at the “Aldo Galli” Academy of Fine Arts in Como – as well as a special prize consisting of free access to the IED’s online platform ” Smart Creativity” – was awarded, in addition to special gadgets for the participants, linked to the excellences of Made in Italy.
The following day the same Academy hosted a seminar for students and professionals, with Deputy Ambassador Nicola Iorio moderating the talks between industry professionals and academia on topics such as restoration, light and its applications in architecture.
The seminar, offered in partnership with the Municipal Development Fund, focused on important projects to enhance the Georgian tourist and infrastructural potential in collaboration with Italian companies.
Many important players in the field of architecture and design, including representatives of companies, scholars and universities, animated a wide-ranging discussion on the themes of light, its applications in architecture and in the restoration of works of historical-artistic interest.
