The title alone, Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change, hints of the multiple layers of the Museum of Design Atlanta's (MODA) current exhibition, which features a collection of artifacts—furniture mostly—designed by noted Italian designers, as well as some international designers, and manufactured by residents of San Patrignano.
I have many favorite pieces in this exhibition, one of them being "Spiros" by Paolo Nava. One of the first things you'll notice about the selections in Barrique is that they're all made from staves—the slats from up-cycled wine casks.
The various pieces in Barrique have been, as I understand it, designed by professional designers, but crafted by residents of San Patrignano. Carpentry is among the more than 50 professions residents may learn. Others include farming, baking, and graphic design, to name a few...all of which are potential future careers for the program participants.
Opening Night was beyond fantastic! The well-attended event included dignitaries and a resident of San Patrignano. Pictured above are a few of the distinguished guests. Left to right are Francesco Fadda, Coordinator of the American tour of Barrique; Angela della Costanza Turner, Honorary Consul of Italy; and Mike McKeaige, Barrique Project participant and resident of San Patrignano.
All were gracious hosts and Ms. Costanza Turner and MODA Executive Director Laura Flusche were presented with absolutely beautiful cased works of art. It was a great evening of learning about San Patrignano and mingling with other visitors.
The above "Stave Table" was designed by Giuliano Cappelletti. Which brings me to a confession. No, I did not take incredible notes nor am I relying on my memory to know the artifact names and designers' names. Each ticketed visitors received an exhibition catalog—a rare treat, regardless of the museum. "Thank you, MODA," for the catalog and such an amazing exhibition.
One of the more fascinating aspects of this exhibition, at least to me, is that the shipping crates are the displays! Even the posters and panels with each piece are attached to the inside walls of the crates are part of the display. That in itself is brilliant design!
"Arche" is a bench designed by Daniel Libeskind. One of the fascinating aspects of this piece is that you can still see sparkling sugar crystallization on the interior side of the staves.
There's a note on the first page inside the catalog that I'd like to share here:
I find myself emotionally touched by what's being done at San Patrignano. And I'm touched that Atlanta has done such a fine job of presenting Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change, the MODA exhibition of The Barrique Project, at its final destination on this American tour.
It was noted during Opening Night remarks that Atlanta has given the best and most remarkable attention to the exhibition, particularly with all the accompanying programming. You've heard me say it before—this is an area where MODA excels! They 'get it' when it comes to creating community and I'm proud of MODA for celebrating the San Patrignano community.
The beautiful DOC Chaise Lounge pictured above was designed by Marc Sadler. You'll notice the inclusion of fine leather. In this case, the leather is by Poltrona Frau.
The artifacts in the exhibition range from chairs and tables to a baby bassinets and a bicycle...38 designers worked on this show!
On Opening Night, The Atlanta Opera performed at MODA. They've performed there before, but given 2013 is "The Year of Italian Culture in the United States," it was a little more special this time.
As part of the Year-of, The Atlanta Opera is performing Tosca in early October at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. If you've not heard the Opera or been to the Cobb Energy Center, treat yourself...they're both quite fantastic!
Luca Scacchetti designed "Panca San Patrignano", a beautiful bench you'll see in Gallery 3. There are approximately 35 pieces on display in the exhibition, each fascinating in its own right.
The Barrique, A Third Life of Wood roadshow has shared with the United States since May of this year the values of "beauty, know-how, taste, regard for local communities and for the environment, and also solidarity." And a fine job they're doing of it here in Atlanta.
The "Look" Lamp is one of two pieces in Barrique by designer Elio Fiorucci. And yes, it's an actual lamp...there's an LED light in the lower stave and the lamp can be placed on a table or wall-mounted.
I'm told that at the end of the exhibition's tour, there will be an auction in New York City, which was great news for the quite a few visitors who asked if the works are for sale.
There are far too many layers to this exhibition to go into here, but one that I would like to point out is sustainability. The wine casks used in this exhibition, and in the training program at San Patrignano, are up-cycled when they've completed their three years of use for aging wine...thus the "third life of wood" that I mentioned earlier.
Also in attendance Opening Night were, left to right in the above photo, Matteo Origoni,architect of the Barrique Project; Max Salmi, Marketing Operations Manager at SCM Group USA; and Mike McKeaige, Barrique Project participant and resident of San Patrignano.
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| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Spiros |
The various pieces in Barrique have been, as I understand it, designed by professional designers, but crafted by residents of San Patrignano. Carpentry is among the more than 50 professions residents may learn. Others include farming, baking, and graphic design, to name a few...all of which are potential future careers for the program participants.
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change |
All were gracious hosts and Ms. Costanza Turner and MODA Executive Director Laura Flusche were presented with absolutely beautiful cased works of art. It was a great evening of learning about San Patrignano and mingling with other visitors.
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Stave Table |
One of the more fascinating aspects of this exhibition, at least to me, is that the shipping crates are the displays! Even the posters and panels with each piece are attached to the inside walls of the crates are part of the display. That in itself is brilliant design!
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Arche |
There's a note on the first page inside the catalog that I'd like to share here:
"We would like to dedicate all the 'moments of growth'
which led to the creation of these beautiful objects
to all the young people of San Patrignano,
to all those living there now and all those who will.
Because only those who have the strength to rise up again
and the courage to change, will be able
to make their dreams come true."
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Instabila |
It was noted during Opening Night remarks that Atlanta has given the best and most remarkable attention to the exhibition, particularly with all the accompanying programming. You've heard me say it before—this is an area where MODA excels! They 'get it' when it comes to creating community and I'm proud of MODA for celebrating the San Patrignano community.
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | DOC |
The artifacts in the exhibition range from chairs and tables to a baby bassinets and a bicycle...38 designers worked on this show!
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | The Atlanta Opera |
As part of the Year-of, The Atlanta Opera is performing Tosca in early October at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. If you've not heard the Opera or been to the Cobb Energy Center, treat yourself...they're both quite fantastic!
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Panca San Patrignano |
The Barrique, A Third Life of Wood roadshow has shared with the United States since May of this year the values of "beauty, know-how, taste, regard for local communities and for the environment, and also solidarity." And a fine job they're doing of it here in Atlanta.
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | "Look" Lamp |
I'm told that at the end of the exhibition's tour, there will be an auction in New York City, which was great news for the quite a few visitors who asked if the works are for sale.
There are far too many layers to this exhibition to go into here, but one that I would like to point out is sustainability. The wine casks used in this exhibition, and in the training program at San Patrignano, are up-cycled when they've completed their three years of use for aging wine...thus the "third life of wood" that I mentioned earlier.
 |
| Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change |
Getting to hear a first-hand account of what San Patrignano does—from Mike McKeaige—really brought home the life-saving and life-changing mission and results of the program. The program, which is totally free to participants, currently is home to 1,300 participants. The program, founded in 1978, has a high success rate with more than 72% achieving full recovery.
The exhibition is brilliant, moving, touching, and inspiring. I hope you have a chance to see it during its short time here...through Sunday, October 13.
One last thing, I have to draw attention to how fortunate we are to have exhibitions like this here in Atlanta. Whether visiting Atlanta from a nearby town, from the other side of the planet, or from just down the street, museums like the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) are good for us and good to us. Consider me grateful for seeing things and meeting people that I would not have the opportunity to otherwise. Keep up the great job, MODA!
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