The D.I.V.E. of Los Angeles special guests of Consul General at La Casa all’Italiana

Among the initiatives celebrating 2013, Year of the Italian Culture in the United States, the residence of Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Perrone has recently become La Casa all’Italiana in Los Angeles, hosting gorgeous design works by Italian renowned artist Gio Ponti.

 

Since June 20 and for a whole week, Ponti’s extraordinary creativity and imagination were disclosed to an exclusive public on the occasion of special visits and events.

 

One of them took place last Monday, when the installation was attended by the D.I.V.E., in homage to their dedication and commitment to strengthen the relations between talented Italian-American women living in Southern California and promote both cultures.

 

The installation – curated by Lon Hamaekers and organized in partnership with SnaideroUSA, Molteni, Fiat and the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles – includes both original and re-edited pieces of furniture along with silverware, books and magazines (Lo Stile, Domus), ceramics, fabrics, mirrors, lamps, photographs and sketches, plus a mock-up of a stunning winged Cathedral.

 

In perfect accordance with Ponti’s ambition to create beautiful but also functional objects, capable of integrating in common spaces and daily life, most of preexisting furniture has been temporarily moved to the lower floor to make room for vintage pieces and reproductions. 

 

The rooms and spaces have been rethought to accommodate entire settings made up of Ponti’s creations: from the refined dining room – used in many Hollywood movie sets – to the private study; from the open and welcoming living room from Parco Dei Principi Hotel in Rome to the cozy sitting room with a fireplace.

 

A recurring theme is represented by the diamond shape, typical feature of many of Ponti’s works which appears in the flatware for Reed and Barton as well as in the coffee table and rug from Molteni’s re-issue collection and, of course, in the details of the façade of the Cathedral.

 

Among the pieces showcased, the Desk for Assolombarda, borrowed from the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles where it serves as the Director’s working desk. It is topped with two Sculptures from the Thick Glass Window Series for Venini, whose different shapes were created as ice grew cold.

 

Consul General Perrone led his lady guests on an intimate tour inside and outside the house, as not only the interiors have been remodeled “Ponti style” but also the garden, where some Superleggera Chairs for Cassina and Montecatini Chairs blend in with the plants and pools.

Each piece of Ponti’s art tells its original story through shapes and colors. And still, they appeared perfectly combined and integrated in the house space.

 

In the same way, as President Lucia Peretti underlined, the D.I.V.E. gather together in harmony to discuss and achieve common goals. Yet each of them has her own personal and interesting life experience to narrate, and such a pleasant occasion and comfortable venue, surrounded by female as well as artistic beauty, certainly offered the opportunity to share at least some of them.

 

In his welcome remarks, Consul General Giuseppe Perrone expressed his gratitude to the Association for the participation and support to the Italian-American community, as well as his heartfelt appreciation for the warm hospitality he in turn received during a meeting at D.I.V.E. Treasurer Marisa Antonini’s house last March.

 

Through Gio Ponti’s poetic words he also affirmed the artist’s as well as his own fascination for the city of Los Angeles and its unique spirit, so accurately captured by Ponti’s vision of the Cathedral.

 

Ponti wrote: “Only poets see it, and children, pure younglings, and Ray and Charles who know about miracles.” However, on the special occasion of this installation, in the special location of Consul General’s private residence, his art was seen and admired by a large number of very special guests like the D.I.V.E. of Los Angeles.

 

Consul General Perrone stated that “Italian design – and Ponti’s in particular – is timeless and like no other in the world. And its modernity still represents one of Italy’s key strengths”. No surprise when he admits that he won’t part with it easily.

 

While the installation at the residence of Consul General of Italy closed on June 30, another selection of works by Gio Ponti is on view at the Italian Cultural Institute until July 26.