08.09.2023

Orsoni Venezia 1888: Art meets Design

In a celebration of artistry and design, Molteni&C, in partnership with Door magazine by Repubblica, recently chose Orsoni Venezia 1888 as the extraordinary venue for an exclusive talk about the power of color. There, historic craftsmanship intermingled with the brilliance of contemporary creativity in a visually stunning exploration of color, design, and tradition.

Orsoni Venezia 1888 is a living furnace preserving the ancient Venetian art of mosaic-making by employing traditional techniques with 24-carat gold leaf, colored gold, and a vast array of enamels. Over the years, this exceptional establishment has contributed to some of the world's most iconic architectural landmarks, from Venice's Basilica of San Marco to Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, as well as numerous distinguished structures in the Far East.

Today, Venetian mosaic tiles from Orsoni are highly sought after by architects and designers, gracing exclusive and unique projects. Much like the creation of metal and crystal, the life of mosaic is born through the alchemy of fusion and fire.

Inside the historic Orsoni Venezia furnace, the Molteni&C Heritage Collection pieces and modern designs conjured a magical transformation. The D.154.2 armchair and D.555.1 small table by Gio Ponti, along with the MHC.2 bookcase designed in 1959 by Yasuhiko Itoh, gracefully welcomed guests at the entrance of the 'Sala Dell'Oro,' where Orsoni's 19 shades of gold, a fusion of glass and the most precious metal, 24-carat gold, are meticulously crafted. This unique craftsmanship process, entirely handmade, reflects the essence of Venetian artistry.

Another exclusive Gio Ponti design, the D.270.2 chair, took center stage in the Color Library, where Orsoni Venezia catalogs all the colors of the world, preserving them in a wooden library with expansive shelves akin to safeguarding precious books, ensuring that not a single hue is lost.

Displaying more than 3,500 tones and shades, the Orsoni Color Library is where the Venetian smalti, or the handmade ceramic tiles used in mosaic, are carefully kept and cataloged by nuance. A living archive of an outstanding artistic heritage, the library offers an immediate encounter with the endless possibilities innate to the art of mosaic.

The Orsoni Venezia courtyard served as the backdrop for the Molteni&C's Outdoor Collection. Here, the elegance of the Palinfrasca sofa, Regent, and Aster small tables danced in perfect harmony with the outdoor ambience that features the heart of the furnace itself: the 'crogiolo,' which melds glass and color at high temperatures to create Venetian glass enamels.

The Green Point chair's wooden and metal finishes, alongside the Golden Gate table by Vincent Van Duysen, and the sculptural all-cement Arc table by Foster + Partners, evoked an enchanting metamorphosis in this historic setting.

The event was a testament to the enduring beauty of craftsmanship and design, where past and present unite in a vibrant celebration of creativity.