“Design in a Real World”, curated by Jonathan Bocca at Villa Marie – a stunning 18th-century residence in the Lucca province, lovingly restored by owners Marleen and Luc Van Marcke – marks VESTIGIA‘s debut in the world of collectible design and contemporary art. Villa Marie is thus transformed into an open-air stage where design engages in a profound dialogue with the land, and each work blends seamlessly with nature. With this inaugural initiative, VESTIGIA aims to forge deep connections between creations, places, and people, supporting the fertile union of Italian craftsmanship, designers, and the soul of Tuscany.
The exhibition celebrates the deep roots of design in the Tuscan territory, the birthplace of many of the participating designers and a region historically renowned for its artisan excellence. The “real world” evoked by the title contrasts the frenetic pace and artificiality of urban and industrial production with a slower, more reflective perspective, typical of self-production and life outside of major urban centers.
Accessible by appointment until September 28th, the project emphasizes processes over products, highlighting the beauty that arises from artisanal care, the selection of materials, and the exploration of new techniques that meet tradition. The participating designers, including Bunker Gallery with Ilaria D’Atri, Jonathan Bocca, and many others, embody this vision, fusing creativity and manual skill.
Jonathan Bocca explains that the exhibition presents a selection of both new and existing projects, chosen for their connection to the territory and their affinity with artisanal practices. The works, displayed in the villa’s outdoor spaces, express materiality, care, and a respect for impermanence – concepts explored in depth in the critical text by Federica Sala. The curator describes the project as a celebration of slowness: of time, earth, people, materials, and the processes by which centuries of civilization have transformed metal, wood, and glass into artistic or functional objects. Many works were created specifically in collaboration with local artisans.
Among the installations, Jonathan Bocca’s site-specific pieces stand out, crafted from reclaimed elements found in the villa’s former orchard. Sara Ricciardi‘s pool installation, depicting human features with natural pigments and gold leaf on floating glass panels, is also a highlight. Cosimo Bonciani presents stackable creations, while FMM Design showcases bronze lamps and sculptural mirrors. Costantino Gucci explores ethereal dimensions with his circular mirror.
Ilaria D’Atri presents ceramic sculptures, while Sara Ricciardi emphasizes the dual nature of materials with glass dioramas. Movimento Gallery displays colorful and functional sculptures, and Pietro Franceschini exhibits upholstered pieces with enveloping and modular lines. Daniele Giannetti investigates instantaneous and manual design with terracotta candelabras and vases, while Finemateria experiments with the perception of materials. Millim explores spontaneity in production, and Ccontinua + Mamt and Duccio Maria Gambi present ceramics and wooden works that investigate fragments of the past and transformations of matter. Gambi also exhibits a bench incorporating recycled plastic, creating a contemporary fossil.
Photo credits: Dario Borruto
