The Mostra Internazionale dell’Artigianato (International Artisan Exhibition) in Florence is surely not what it once must have been when it began in 1931, although this year’s ad campaign is a pretty good one. I go every year hoping to find something unique and interesting, but am mainly bombarded with commercialized, mass produced versions of once original local and international handy-crafts. There are some traditional Italian and Florentine artisan demonstrations taking place such as painting restoration, scagliola stone inlay and ceramics, but the Artigianato e Palazzo exhibition in the garden of the Palazzo Corsini al Prato (in Florence) is a more traditional and elegant venue, and happens to be coming up May 11-13, 2012.
My favorite booths are the food vendors and the most interesting pavillon is Cavaniglia where the design and innovation exhibit is located, along with a few decent jewelry artists. There is however, an area dedicated to young “future” designers in the Padiglione delle Nazioni in the rear of the fairgrounds, found inside the Fortezza da Basso, a 16th century fortress. The exhibition certainly isn’t Milan’s Salone di Mobile which took place last week, but here are some highlights.
And I also particularly liked these custom made chandeliers by Bobeche Lights and Objects using restored vintage parts and just about anything, even a personal collection of objects to create unique lighting pieces. One on display used pocket watches, perfectly complimenting some of my vintage watch jewelry designs!
