C R E AT I V E

FIORI DI LATTA

TREVOR WAYNE

FRANCESCO DE BENEDITTISNew

Indice

FIORI DI LATTAP.11

THE SIMBOLIC POWERof make up in the various cultures.

P.20

TREVOR WAYNE

LA Artist and model

P.25

SYMBOLS

P.37

FRANCESCO DE BENEDITTIS

P.41

www.harim.it

11Fiori di latta

By Angelica GrittaniAttardo Luisa

Flowers and their meanings, the beauty that grows back every season, the wonder in front of a bud, a new life rising from the

ground. There is definitely a hymn to nature in manifold and floral carvings of Fiori di Latta (Tinplate flowers), an idea inspired by the “Futurist Flora” designed by Oswaldo Bot in 1930 and turned into reality by Gherardo Frassa in 1986. On the occasion of the exhibition “Futurism and Futurism” which was held in Venice, he created for the inauguration some centerpieces inspired precisely to those famous designs. In 1987, from Gerard Frassa and Emilio Tadini’s creative mind arise the “Fiori di Latta” logo and a series of one hundred works titled “Fiore”, strictly made of tin; dreamy, imaginative and animated by a little elf. Since 2010 the “Fiori di Latta” brand has opened an artistic laboratory in Milan, where Gherardo Frassa collaborates with other renowned designers (such as Angelo Barcella, Andrea Branzi, Pierluigi Cerri, Clara Rota and Franca Silvia) and for four years he has made several works and pieces that “bloom” in the ironic garden of Fiori di Latta, bringing a breath of imagination and originality.

What is the message that Gherardo Frassa and Emilio Tadini initially wanted to convey by the tinplate writing “Fiore”?Some of these flowers are still in the catalogue, indeed they are not real, but surreal flowers in pots not containing the illustrated flower but the word fiore (flower). They are always characterized by a goblin, a very recurrent character in Tadini’s work. In our flowers, it is magnetic so as you can place it where you like and move it if necessary. This set of Flowers is the artistic sum of Tadini with Frassa, leading to the break of the classical schemes, of the mere reproduction of nature. You cannot make the same tinplate flowers as those of mother nature because nature is too beautiful to be copied. However, we always try to give a meaning that goes beyond, and that give you a more human interpretation. It is like in the case of the series of four-leaf clovers or the blade of grass: they are not simple reproductions of something that is in nature but, with the addition of a small tinplate card giving the work a title such as “La chance végétale” or “The praise of the Grass want”, we offer an ironic and unexpected interpretation that brings a smile to the viewer. The most common symbols in the workshop of “Fiori di Latta” are just the flowers (roses, tulips, poppies, grasses, cacti, etc..). For each collection there is a designer who puts his imagination in a particular subject. How do you recognize the style signature of designers? The different works are dictated by the designers’ style, who keep their own personality and originality; for example in the collection “The colors of the desert” by Clara Rota, who is an artist working with paper only, we notice the cacti are drawn, carved and, although they are made of tinplate, they seem to be really derived from paper. Or in the collection “Ombres des chats” the feline silhouette of Angelo Barcella is sinuous and elegant. It seems to recall the movement of a black cat. This has been achieved through the study of cats’ movements and features.

Are you asking me where you see the artistic side? In this case, we find it in his being able to capture a moment in giving the right proportions to the work, in the interpretation of movement, in the beauty of lines and shapes, in the quality of work and in the very careful study about every single piece.What is the meaning that objects want to convey in every new collection? These flowers want to convey a message of joy, good humor, irony. We offer items that we think will make the space where we live more welcoming and personal, more original by simply having two flowers on a shelf or a cat climbing on a bookcase.How are the collections made of “Fiori di Latta”? They are unique pieces, made in very limited series and all hand-made, so the petals of flowers will never be one like the other. We are born as an art and craft shop, thus, we defend the made in Italy, because our works are entirely handmade after long hours of work in the laboratory, the details are carefully studied. The pieces are not numbered, except for the limited series, such as those of Branzi, Cerri and the futurist flowers. For us, this being unique is more related to the craft production, offering an added value to the object itself.For spring 2014, a series of very special centerpieces was designed by Gherardo Frassa: the art joins the fruit in this case, how did you come to this union?The collection is called “Frutteti: arte applicata alla frutta” (“Orchards: art applied to fruit”): it is a collection that recalls the style of tinplate flowers with something fantastic. These orchards are soft silhouettes of copper and brass applied to a crystal centerpiece and being very adaptable, if you want you can also apply to other fruit bowls. They are images of fantasy and are inspired by Calder’s mobiles (Alexander Calder, a famous American sculptor for the invention of big kinetic-art sculptures, ed); so, we find certain hanging scenes like the tango dancers, dragonflies, the hunter of flying hearts that reflect this technique and apply it on a decorated centerpiece by making it much more special. We presented this collection at the FuoriSalone event during the week of the Salone del Mobile in 2014 and it has been very welcomed by the public and professionals.

In your workshop in Milan, that for some years has been transformed from a craft workshop to an Art & Design Factory, there was the merger of Fiori di Latta with Citazioni. How do you experience the creative space? Our laboratory is in a court of Corso San Gottardo, in the work places of the ancient Milan. Ours is an open space where the public can come and see how the object is produced, the context where it is created and where you can still breathe the air of craftsmanship; moreover, if you want, you can also buy directly in our workshop.Where can we find the creative objects of your brand? As a point of reference in Milan I would mention the magnificent shop “Entrata Libera”, an 800 square meters space located in the city center, where each object is evaluated in an extraordinary way. We also have an e-commerce website where we sell our products, but they are not as beautiful as in person, the photo does not do justice (he laughs Ed.)A curiosity about Fiori di Latta, which Gianluca Bianchi revealed to us during this interview: the tulips from the collection “Tulipes messageres” have been designed by taking inspiration from Truffaut cinema, in particular from the movie “Domicile conjugal” where the Japanese lover gives his French lover a bouquet of tulips, he brings them back home and when they open, messages of love fall from inside. This is a poem that enchants and makes the simplicity and sophistication of these objects/flowers an example of love that makes you smile and that makes your imagination run free at home.

To find out more about the dreamlike garden of Fiori di Latta please view: www.fioridilatta.com

The symbolic power

of make up in the various cultures.

By Serena Secco

Imagine a person who goes to work wearing a geisha make-up: it would be very inappropriate. A specific make up, in fact, if is

correctly contextualized, acquires a precise value and meaning. “Geisha” means “person skilled in the fine arts, in good manners”, in fact a Geisha is a professional in the art of entertain and amusement. This typical character of Japan shows a traditional make up, the oshiroi, that reflects all the complexity and the refinement of Japanese world. First of all the face must be covered with a layer of white foundation to look like a porcelain mask, and the mouth should be reshaped with very precise lines and then it is filled with Kyoto red. Maikos, Geisha apprentices, can fill only the lower lip, until they complete their studies. The red colour of the lips is reprised also in the external part of the eyelid: even here the quantity of red will let the observer know how long it takes for the Maiko to become a Geisha.

Mattia Vismara

Eyes should have a sweet expression, but sensual and a bit minx too, obtained with a line of black eye-liner to widen the eye shape, then some mascara to thicken eyelashes. All of these steps and the distinction between apprentices and expert Geishas make us understand that this kind of make up is a ritual and has a very strong symbolic value, in fact it is able to arouse respect and admiration. The same is for the famous Maori people, originally from New Zealand, but in this case we do not talk about make up but tattoos, the Mokos, who cover the body and the faces of these warriors. There is a different symbol for every important event of a warrior’s life, like the passage from childhood to adulthood. Furthermore, since the Maori people are spread all over the Polynesian Isles, every island has their own tattoo fashion, following specific models, so that, thanks to the type of tattoos, it is easy to understand where a warrior comes from. Women instead, to show that they are bound to a warrior, have a sign on their chin.And here is a little curiosity: even the most “modern” men are affected by symbolism and make up!How many times have we seen slow motion scenes of muscular men on football fields who draw two black lines on their cheekbones? This kind of make up is like a sign of aggressiveness, to make other people know that they are “ready to attack”. Actually, the origin of this action is way different: the two black lines were drawn under the eyes in order to absorb the sunrays, so they did not bother the players on the playfield.21

25

Trevor WayneBy Selena Magni

LA Artist and model

How would you describe your artwork?My artwork is very bold lined, flat colored, comic style portraiture. I’ve been told I was a mixture of   Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Mad Magazine. To me that was the highest compliment I think I could get!!Bananas, hot-dogs, icons and cartoons. What do you want to express by choosing these themes?My humor. Pop art should be fun! I want to make art fun again. I want people to smile and feel good when they look at my work.You’re an artist, a model, an actor, even muse of many artists. What is the secret of doing such different things?I’m not sure there is a secret as much as it is just my love of all the art forms. I’m happy to do them! So I put myself out there!How can you feel so comfortable in your own body?I don’t, I have my insecurities and hang ups like everyone does. I just try to push those aside and make a product that represents someone a little different.Pin up boy and boylesque. Is it going to be a new style of showtime?It is! But I don’t do live shows, I’m more of on camera type. Do you think this type of burlesque is going to expand?I think it really could, it would be great to see more performance and fun in cabaret style from men.

T r e v o r W a y n e

Do you follow your heart or your brain while you’re creating some piece of art?I follow my sense of humor!Tattoos are a way to express your own personality. What do your tattoos represent?They are all so different. They’re more about the time I got them, when and where, and the artist I was friends with who did them.I’ve had them for over a decade, I don’t even think about them anymore.What is the role of art today?Documentation of the minds within our own individual cultures, and showcases their hopes, fears, realities, fantasies, and inspirations.Which are your favourite artists?My influence has always been Saturday Morning Cartoons.

The importance of symbols as

distinctive feature of

every artist.

The importance of symbols as

distinctive feature of

every artist.

Symbols are a straightforward way to communicate. With a symbol it is possible to express a great amount of different things, be it a combination of letters, a drawing or a sketch. From the Egyptian

hieroglyphics to the emoticon of our 2.0 web, symbols are the quickest way to express an idea. This is why it is very important for anyone who tries to stand out thanks to their creation to find a symbol that can be related to their work, be them stylists, designers, painters, craftsmen or creative people in general. For a creative person, a symbol is what makes their work unique and recognizable by the public. Thanks to the symbol the artist signs a creation with a distinctive sign that will make it different from any other. Since ancient times, craftsmen used to carve their corporation’s symbol on the their works, as a sign of belonging and to distinguish them from those of other corporations at the same time. Today, the purpose of symbols has changed but their meaning is still the same. It is a sign of authenticity, all the more in an era when everything runs fast and in which images strike the attention more and better than words. A symbol is necessary to stand out of the crowd and draw the attention on oneself. Just like symbols, logos work as distinctive features that enclose not only the purposes of what they stand for, but also the style and values. It is a symbol of authenticity and trust just like the symbol. A logo can be a writing, a slogan or a simple drawing. A monogram is a symbol that is used very often, it is obtained by putting or combining two or more letters on top of each other. They often include the initials of the artist or of the high offices of the company, sometimes they combine the letters in a game of shapes, more or less complex. It is essential to find a symbol that express the essential characteristics of an artist in the most forthright way possible. It also important not to underestimate the importance of colours. White and black are universal and minimal but different colours can better draw the attention and at the same time they are more peculiar and distinctive. 37

By Rossella Scalzo

Francesco De Benedittis

41Composer and musician

By Angelica GrittaniAttardo Luisa

Francesco De Benedictis is an artist, musician and Italian composer, owner of a production

company in Fano, “Naïve Recording Studio”. Songwriter for singers including Francesco Renga, Nek, Marco Carta, Max Gazzè, he has achieved success with “L’essenziale” by Marco Mengoni’s song that won Sanremo Festival in 2013.

Where did your passion for music start from? For me it was a passion conveyed by the love that my parents have towards music, especially the classical music. When I was a child I grew up listening to the Requiem by Mozart and Verdi or even Italian singer-songwriters such as Battisti and De Gregori. I’ve always been a lover of sound more than composition, I was very fascinated by sounds. Then, the words and phrases came. I always wondered how songs that I listened were born. They had the ability to cheer me up and to reflect my moods in an incredible manner.You have written many songs for international artists such as Sylvie Vartan, Kelly Joyce, Tina Arena. How did you experience this international situation? I had the opportunity to write a song “French Beat” for Kelly Joyce (“Vivre la vie”) which has been warmly welcomed by the French public. It was a success, I was lucky enough to get to the top of the charts and managed to attract Sylvie Vartan’s attention, a French icon singer who asked me both to write a few songs for her, and to be her keyboardist for nearly a year during the tour.You have collaborated with Marco Mengoni writing the song “L’essenziale” which won Sanremo 2013, and also with Max Gazzè in his hit-parade “Sotto casa”. What does this goal represent for you? For some authors, Sanremo is a chimera. Many people pursue this professional objective. Even for me it was like that, I wanted to try at least once in my life to take part in Sanremo Festival, but with the most appropriate song: and just last year I found myself with two songs in the contest, including one that won, while the other went really close. I can say I am very satisfied and I’ve definitely achieved my goal.

Are there any recurring themes, or every song is “sewn” upon the artist that will sing it? There aren’t recurring themes in my songs, I am a curious person and I often get carried away by what I see or what I talk about with people, friends and colleagues. I do not constrain my curiosity and my desire of learning, but I often choose less explored and “uncomfortable” themes. If I talk about love I prefer talking about the more complex side, the more obscure one of people, such as the incomprehensible silence that separate us. My songs often leave the listener a question, a thought that can lead to reflect on the subject or to find a solution, in short, an open-ended interpretation of everyone! The ability to dream and hope are always present in my songs. They are vital and should permeate the lives of everybody. I hope I can make people feel better by composing music.What are the starting points for becoming composers and songwriters? I still believe in dream and hope. Believing in something that gives you joy and trying to achieve it is always a stimulus for growth. It is important what you want to do and how you want to do it. Of course, being prepared and always looking for the originality are aspects to not to be underestimated. In addition to being an author I am also a producer, so I do not just write songs but I also deal with the composition, I try to get a complete end-product. I think it’s very important to associate a sound to words; you can approach this reality with tools such as synthesizers, computer music or electronics which are very useful for musical arrangements and compositions all round. These tools allow you to be more attractive when you make a song and then make it more salable to record companies.

Today you are the owner of a recording studio “Naïve Recording Studio” where together with other musicians and sound engineers you arrange also courses and seminars. How important is a good preparation for doing this job? It’s a job where passion is very important, as well as the interest in music in general. The more motivated you are the more you can discover new genres, play different musical instruments and arrange your own songs through ad hoc programs. The study is obviously necessary to be able to do this job, there are many topics and techniques to learn. In our office we organize preparatory courses which start from acoustic physics, important to train your ear which is the main tool in this job, to the mix, the digital recording dealing with topics such as sampling rate, frequency, etc..What do you think about the new forms of digital listening as Spotify or Soundcloud? I am in favor of it because times are changing and music is evolving. Today it is possible to make a pre-listening online, through these programs. Even if it is a big market, I think people are driven to buy what they really like, in order to put it on Ipod, mp3 or mobile phones and carrying it with themselves.

“The word, the sign and the symbol come out from the mouth.

As sign, the word has no meaning. As symbol instead, it means all.”

Carl Gustav Jung

The sign and the symbol are the primary elements in the written communication. The sign as a trace, as small unit that can express any basic meaning according to who interprets it, can represent many thing, be them real or abstract. Values, feelings, stories and the sense of belonging to a community or a group can be expressed with symbols. The symbol is a conventional sign that bears a meaning that is generally shared and recognised by a whole

community.

To communicate with expressive element: symbols. Signs have a strong meaning and are shared among the society and small communities.

C r e a t i v i t y

All rights reserved to Vain Magazines