Fendi and Design Miami: the interview with Lukas Gschwandtner and Delfina Delettrez Fendi

On the occasion of the latest Design Miami held last November, the Roman maison FENDI presented the result of the collaboration with the Austrian artist Lukas Gschwandtner , with whom we talked, together with Delfina Delettrez Fendi , about this creative adventure from which it was born a series of unpublished works - a triclinium -shaped composition - considered by the artist as an opportunity to confront new boundaries and experiences. Made up of a chaise longue and the addition of Pillow Portraits , the series of wearable canvas sculptures, refers to the history of ancient Rome, inextricably linked to and an integral part of the FENDI identity. The entire artwork is characterized by Gschwandtner's interest and attachment to the Eternal City , its art and architecture.

L'OFFICIEL ITALIA: How did the idea of Triclinium come about?

LUKAS GSCHWANDTNER: What I like about Triclinium is that it adds to a body of work (Pillow Portraits) that has been following me for some time. In this case it is the Roman extension. For me it is important that the projects or series that I start can continue without a deadline, especially in the case of my Pillow Portraits.

LOI: You speak of "Roman extension", in addition to works of art such as the Venus of Urbino and Paolina Bonaparte as Venus Vincitrice, is there a reference to ancient Rome in your work in collaboration with Fendi?

LG: During my time in Vienna I immersed myself in reading books on the iconography of ancient Roman private rooms, and I was captivated by this composition of three chaise longues: I felt very involved in this use of furniture, especially in such a distant historical era. So Triclinium became my starting point for the project creating a natural and personal context. The city of Rome has given me countless ideas that have guided and supported the project.

LOI: Speaking of materials, what you used for the creations presented at Design Miami and which is behind the creations of the tailored garments, iI CaIico, in a certain sense puts these creations of yours in contact with fashion?

LG: The choice of this material was deliberate because it allowed me to focus on the pure form of the objects and the canvas is seen as an undergarment and the additional textile layers as "dresses", whose material relationship allowed me to play with proportions and visual weight.

LOI: You tore the Peekaboo apart after throwing plaster into it, what is the artistic result of this for you?

LG: I wanted to work on something that already existed, reinterpreting it in my own way. In addition to following my Triclinium idea, I also decided to represent an iconic FENDI product and my choice fell on the Peekaboo , for which I filled each compartment of the bag with chalk, before cutting the original material to reveal the internal structure of the bag imprinted on the mould.

LOI: What was it like developing these projects? What is the relationship that binds you to Fendi?

LG: For me the most important part of the project was my stay in Rome, the visit to the Ateliers, the meeting with the FENDI team, the sharing of my thoughts and my research with Silvia - Silvia Venturini Fendi -, without forgetting my love for Rome.

L'OFFICIEL ITALIA: How did the collaboration with Lukas Gschwandtner come about?

DELFINA DELETTREZ: From Kim Jones who was already familiar with Lukas' previous work. With Kim and my mother - Silvia Venturini Fendi - we share a common vision and the choice came naturally, as it was last year with Peter Mabeo .

LOI: Is there something that particularly attracts you in the works of Lukas Gschwandtner?

DD: I think this is a very complete project, certainly with a more artistic approach, but it is also a project that merges the two souls of what our commitment is here. Triclinia are a kind of portable, wearable design; therefore, there is this fusion between the garment and the furniture. In addition, it is also a performative project, because based on how you lean on the seats, you can wear them in your own way, and become the work yourself.

LOI: Fendi has been a partner of Design Miami since 2008, what is your approach to this event?

DD: We were the first fashion house to join Design Miami in 2008 and for us it is not just an event, it is our point of view on design and a very important creative and experimental moment that combines fashion, design and art .

LOI: What is Fendi's relationship with the world of art and design?

DD: Fendi is synonymous with experimentation. For the Maison, luxury is the possibility of experimenting, combining innovation and tradition, following the motto "nothing is impossible" . This will translates into the design which is a union of art and functionality. I also believe that art, design and fashion are somehow linked, as they generate personal visions of today's world, visions that can influence people's opinion, taste and way of observing. It is a power that the different expressions of creativity, from a certain point of view, share. These types of projects are fundamental to FENDI and are part of the DNA of our Maison.