Vincenzo de Cotiis: I like passing through time

The Italian designer and Galya Zannato converse in Sklada with Antonie Manolova and Tzvetana Chipkova from Аbitare Bulgaria.

Abitare: In Bulgaria, people often make do with what they have, using objects for extended periods of time. We expect your aesthetics to be shocking to the local public because those who have to live amidst their old possessions dream of newness, and what you do exceeds the new and goes back to veritable, weathered objects.
Vincenzo de Cotiis: I like this interpretation. I like the passing through time a lot. People should be able to overcome time, pass beyond it, express, if they manage to, their emotions. That is what happened to the design of the 1950’s – to the architects I like, to the designers I am interested in. Those among them who have not been forgotten have more or less passed through time. I do not like so much the design of today which is too playful. I do not think of objects in this way. That is why I use more recycled materials. I like their wear and tear, the marks, how they have weathered in time. I like the surface which makes you touch it, the feel. In this respect, I have borrowed heavily from art.
A: What inspires you now?
VdC: Art. I could not call myself an artist, I am a designer, I like creating designs, but what gives me energy is art. I feel very close to everybody who understands the connection to material in that way... I have recently seen an exhibition of Alberto Burri’s works. This is an Italian artist, very much loved, one of the major representatives of Arte Povera in Italy. I am always excited to see one of his exhibitions.
A: Galya Zannato, who is the host of your exhibition in Sofia, does a lot for promoting art in design which is difficult on our small scene. Galya, what was your goal in organizing this exhibition?
GZ: I have been interested in Vincenzo’s work for a long time now. Several years ago, at the Salone in Milan, I came upon one of his expositions by chance and I have been keeping track of him ever since. So I decided to participate in Sofia Design Week by organizing Vincenzo’s exhibition here. I could not think of a stronger, wider-scale presentation of design as creative work than that. Design of late is more or less related to the market, customer-oriented, in the best case commissioned by some company looking for a niche. This is all natural and normal, but I seek to present design as creative work, as expression. The years of totalitarian government had suffocated an important part of our life which is closely related to design, too. The culture of perception has faded and I would like to do whatever is within my power for its revival. We, as a society, need to reinvent our culture and identity and to express ourselves. Every society does that in some way.
VdC: Actually, Galya, that was our first participation at the Furniture Fair in Milan. We have never commercialized our project, it is rather aimed at galleries. We have worked with many gallerists in Paris, London, New York, related to art rather than design. Ron Arad has taught me that he is a natural born artist. I love his work very much.
GZ: When somebody places an order for your furniture with me, I feel that they do not buy a table or a chair, they buy emotion. I can see it – the expressiveness of the object attracts them. That is what people invest in, without even realizing why. They have decided “I need a table”, but do not buy the first table they see, people try to find “their” table.
A: Perhaps that is emotional culture.
VdC: Every person has a feel and sensitivity. But being surrounded by aesthetically convincing objects on a daily basis helps a lot.
А: We would like that to happen in this country, too. For the environment to become impregnated with authentic objects, made with emotion.
VdC: Yes, the situation in our part of Europe is the opposite, we live in an environment where there are so many things on offer that the very object burns out...
A: Is the owner of your works anonymous? Have you got any idea who you design for, or you work on a project for the pleasure of creating it?
VdC: I make it, and I believe I am obliged to make it, for myself. That is like training, you have to keep fit all the time. What is more, I have to transfer my emotions to someone who would understand and feel them. People are very interested in such projects, because an individual product is a rarity nowadays. Presently, people need things that are personalized.
A: The principle of recycling materials, which you follow, is actually en vogue. Everybody speaks of re-use. What do you think about that?
VdC: I have been doing that for many years now. At the beginning, these were rather installations for my customers. But the recycling concept is at least 15 years old. I am actually enraptured by materials, I want to preserve them, keep the emotion.
A: Have you got any bigger projects after the Straf hotel?
VdC: Rather, I would say that I can find understanding and audience in private houses, because my style is special. Everybody knows their own limitations. I have interesting projects. We are working on a hotel in Dubai – all the rooms there will feature wall-panels similar to the one we are exhibiting in Sofia. People around the Gulf are so sensitive to novelties...
A: What happened to your fashion label Haute?
VdC: Actually, I no longer work on the collections. Now I am going to present another, new line, because Haute has already become too commercial. I cannot do such things. I am not a stylist, I create fashion for pleasure. So, in October, my new line will be launched, it is very special.