Officina Italiana Design supports the art world

Officina Italiana Design, a Bergamo-based studio founded by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta that has been exclusive designer of Riva craft since 1994, continues its initiative to nurture and promote Italy’s artistic heritage with an important collaboration, becoming technical sponsor of the Triennale Milano for the After All exhibition by Davide Allieri. The event takes place from 14thNovember 2024 to 19th January 2025, and is organised by Damiano Gullì, contemporary art and public programme curator for the Triennale.

Why is a boat and yacht design studio lending its support to the art world? Because the link with art is a crucial element of the work carried out by Officina Italiana Design.For over thirty years the Bergamo-based studio has been designing iconic craft by the yard in Sarnico, symbols of Italian style throughout the world. It is also notable for the professional background of its chief designer, Mauro Micheli. After successfully completing his secondary education at the Bergamo Art College he attended the Brera Academy in Milan.

All this explains why art is part of Officina Italiana Design’s DNA, providing a constant source of reflection and inspiration. In classical and contemporary art OID finds the exquisite balance of shapes that transforms Riva craft into true masterpieces.

Inspired by this passion, OfficinaItaliana Designhas supported Davide Allieri by providing fibreglass for the construction of some of his works (also for the last year exhibition at the Palazzo Monti in Brescia for the Bergamo and Brescia, Italian Capitals of Culture 2023 event).

“We already knew the artist, who is from Bergamo. When he presented his idea to us, explaining that he wanted to use fibreglass as a material for his self-expression, he made a deep impression on us. What appealed to us was his desire to transform a material we normally see used in constructing yachts, giving it a new identity. In this way fibreglass is used in an entirely new way and given a new way. The material gains a new status and nobility, becoming the heart of the art installation. It also gave us the opportunity to combine our passion with our professional activities”, say Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta.

Officina Italiana Designis not new to initiatives in support of the arts. Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta,both passionate about the subject, are enthusiastic collectors and particularly enjoy exploring the work of young artists. Recently, in the context of the “Bergamo-Brescia Italian Capital of Culture 2023”, OID made available the work “Eclipse” by the artist Jacopo Mazzonelli for the ‘Sistema Tempo’ exhibition, co-curated by Tommaso Nabiuzzi and Edoardo Rivoiro Pellegrini at the MO.CA, the Brescia Centre for New Cultures.

Other initiatives include the B&CxR project, a collection of art photographs, published in a limited edition, by Gabriele Basilico and Mario Cresci at the Cantieri Riva di Sarnico (BG) and also featuring in several public shows around the world.