Above and Beyond the Call of Coffee
Since its inception in 1933, the name illy has become synonymous with excellent taste in coffee, culture and the arts. Some of the greatest artists to live in the last generation, from Francis Ford Coppola to Robert Rauschenberg, have collaborated with illy to create unique artistic pieces in celebration of the iconic coffee producer. From delicately designed espresso cup collections to larger than life photographic stills, illy continues to harvest not only the finest beans but also inspiring artistic talent from today’s most celebrated artists.
More Than a Cup
The original illy espresso cup took the illy experience to an entirely new level. The cup was initially designed with both style and function in mind to provide the optimal cup for enhancing and enjoying espresso. A stronger following developed when illy invited a number of established artists to lend their creative expertise in developing additional illy collections. Illy was the first company to engage a renowned artist to create its logo. James Rosenquist designed the elegant and unique red square now recognized by millions of people around the globe, and it has remained illy’s logo ever since. Since 1992, the finest names in art and design, such as Luca Trazzi, Julian Schnabel and Jeff Koons have become strongly associated with the international leader in gourmet coffee and their artistic pieces are coveted by both art and coffee lovers alike.
illy’s Love of Art Brought to Life
In 2005, illy shared its passion for coffee and the arts with the city of New York. Over a three-month period in New York’s SoHo area, Galleria illy was born. Housing a number of renowned international artists and their inspiring work, the Galleria received notable attention from the art community. The walls of the Galleria remained lined for three months with work of famed international artists including images by Michael James O’Brien, Sebastião Salgado, Michel Compte as well as “Coffee Flavors Ideas,” an original painting that James Rosenquist created for illy. The ambiance of the Galleria demonstrated illy’s passion for art and design, and provided a physical outlet to showcase tremendous artwork. Not only did the famed Julian Schnabel launch an illy cup collection at the Galleria, Marina Abramovic also coordinated an entire interactive performance art exhibit based around coffee to celebrate Halloween. Galleria illy hosted students from the Parson’s School of Design and also served as a venue for Art:21, illywords, and Film Forum events.
In 2006, illy brought the Beauty Has A Taste cultural exhibit to the Time Warner Center to further celebrate illy’s unfaltering passion and dedication to art, literature, film, design and cultural events. Some of the world’s greatest artists from Francis Ford Coppola and Jeff Koons to Marina Abramovic worked with illy to create unique artistic pieces in celebration of the iconic coffee producer.
From delicately designed illy collections to larger than life photographic stills, guests of the TWC had the opportunity to view some of these unique works of art. Additionally, visitors had the chance to browse through great literature at illy’s free library and attend scheduled classes and other exciting events including CoffeeSense classes, hosted by leading food journalist, author and television contributor David Rosengarten. Furthermore, James Rosenquist hosted “Coffee, Flavours, Ideas,” paying homage to the various colors and flavors from around the globe that have contributed to his innovative artwork for illy, ranging from the company’s brilliant red logo to the illy collection series.
In 2007, illy worked with artist/architect Adam Kalkin to create the illy Push Button House which is a fully functional and sustainable home built within a standard industrial shipping container that takes approximately 90 seconds to fully open. The illy Push Button House is driven by actuators controlled by a specially designed computer located inside the dining room table. With the push of a button, the shipping container transforms into a five-room home with a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, living room and library. Illy’s Push Button House opens to the public at the Time Warner Center from December 3 to December 29.
International Participation in Art
In the fall of 2005, iIly also participated in ARTISSIMA 12, the International Fair of Contemporary Art in Turin, Italy. This festival included ten young artists selected by a board of curators to create artistic pieces commissioned specifically for the event and offered the ideal outlet in supporting youthful artists interested in a career in the arts.
One of illy’s recent projects include its partnership with La Biennale di Venezia - the internationally acclaimed art fair. Illy dedicated itself to the theme of the exhibition “Dreams and Conflicts: The Dictatorship of the Viewer” showcasing various spaces to grab the viewers attention. The help of Artemide and Moroso, acclaimed Italian lighting and furniture companies respectively, were also sought to aide illy in creating the perfect space.
Renowned Photographer Demonstrates the Beauty of illy Coffee
Today, illy is involved in an ongoing initiative with internationally acclaimed photographer Sebastião Salgado. Salgado has captured striking images from around the globe including Brazil, India and Ethiopia. Salgado’s images further reinforce illy’s passion for sustainability and demonstrate the creative means illy pursues to ensure this goal is met. Salgado’s creative black and white images are recognizable and truly display the coffee community at work, and the involvement of developing countries in this commodity. He chooses to expose the world to the life of the coffee growers and their story through photography. The current exhibit features 25 inspiring images that capture the beauty and culture of various international coffee-growing regions. Illy is constantly looking to further develop programs that enhance sustainability, and Salgado’s images are a positive reinforcement of this ambitious goal.
illy continues to express its connection to beauty through art and design. From the tin to the taste buds, illy strives to turn its coffee experience into a fine art.
About illycaffè
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, illycaffè is the world’s finest Italian coffee and a leader in quality, innovation and technology. A third generation Italian coffee company, illy is the number one European imported coffee brand in North America. Based in Trieste, Italy, illycaffè produces and markets a unique blend of coffee as the single brand leader in quality coffee and gives coffee connoisseurs an overall authentic Italian coffee experience. Illy is available in more than 50,000 of the finest restaurants and coffee bars and is sold in over 140 countries around the world, serving more than 6 million cups of illy coffee per day. Globally, illy employs more than 700 people.
Illy buys green coffee of the highest quality Arabica directly from the growers through partnerships based on the mutual creation of value. The Italian-based company fosters long-term collaborations with the world’s finest coffee growers – in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa – providing know-how and technology and offering above-market prices.