Red is the new black. Glow, Velasca, Glow!
28/04/2016.
Temporary installation by Ingo Maurer. [Milan] Italy. 11.04.2016 < 17.04.2016
metalocus, CLAUDIA CENDOYA
metalocus, CLAUDIA CENDOYA
On the occasion of the Salone del Mobile that has taken place in Milan between April the 11 and the 17 this month, Ingo Maurer has illuminated the city's night with bright reds. The performance developed by the german artist has been the "painting" in red of Velasca Tower, a particular building designed by BBPR architects in 1958.
Aerial view. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Urban context. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
General view. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Frontal view. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Installation & illumination. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
View of the tower from the installation. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
View of the tower from the installation. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Installation. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Installation. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Installation. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Installation. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
View of the tower from the installation. Illumination of Velasca Tower by Ingo Maurer. Photograph © Saverio Lombardi Vallauri / Tom Vack.
Ingo Maurer's action consist's on the lighting project of Velasca Tower, which is complemented by the design of an installation for a known automotive brand at its feet. The building, understood as a torch that illuminates the city lights as coals would in the upper and lower areas. The middle section, which remains mostly dark, is punctually lit with red lights displayed randomly over some windows. In the lower part of the tower, four white circles spin in constant motion, creating a vivid contrast with the red background. The choice of colors by the artist is left to the visitor's own interpretation.
The tower, which apprehends classic elements of the city of Milan and transforms them using the architectural language of the moment, is divided vertically in the base of the tower, which houses commercial spaces; in the intermediate storeys, with housing; and on the upper floors, which formally resemble medieval watchtowers of the area.
The tower, which apprehends classic elements of the city of Milan and transforms them using the architectural language of the moment, is divided vertically in the base of the tower, which houses commercial spaces; in the intermediate storeys, with housing; and on the upper floors, which formally resemble medieval watchtowers of the area.
More information
Author
Ingo Maurer
Collaborator
Axel Schmid
Implementation
CastagnaRavelli
Ingo MAURER
For over four working decades, Ingo Maurer and Team – as he refers to the co-workers – has constantly grown. They are now a group of more than sixty people. The address in Munich, Schwabing has remained the same since 1970. However, in 2005 they outgrew their production facilities in the courtyard at Kaiserstrasse 47 and a new location for production and shipping was established on the outskirts of Munich. In the former production hall, Ingo Maurer and his team created a spacious showroom, the second after New York, and the only one in Europe.
