Lodovico Minelli Sarteri

We felt the magnitude of what we had lost - Japan, with its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and treasured friendships, not to mention the immense power of professional and business connections that had once flourished. So, when we received an invitation to visit the Island in January 2023, we didn't hesitate. Our two-week journey was filled with incredible experiences that we'll never forget. Our hearts are overflowing with joy, and we can't wait to return.

We stitched together a tapestry of unique experiences during our trip, starting with some notable institutional milestones. We had the privilege of visiting the prestigious Rotary Club of Tokyo, and then went on to attend confidential meetings with key players in both the thriving Japanese tech market and with European and US operators looking to break into the Japan import market.

Our journey also brought us into contact with visionary designers and engineers who were focused on pushing the boundaries of immersive, experiential data presentation. We were fortunate enough to visit two standout companies in this field - Teamlab and Metro Commerce Co., Ltd. Their innovative approaches left us spellbound and gave us a glimpse into the future of interactive technology.

Of course, no trip to Japan would be complete without reconnecting with old friends in the Tokyo area and indulging in some of the greatest local food together. We also had the pleasure of making new foodie friends from Italy - Maurizio Tentella and his partner in food and fashion crime, Cece Fox. Our shared love for amazing food and beverage led us on a delicious journey of discovery. Our food explorations also took on a street-style vibe as we immersed ourselves in the vibrant subculture of Shibuya and Harajuku now heading the global hype with directors taking over Kenzo and – in a few days from our visit – Louis Vuitton. 

With boundless energy, we also organized a light fashion shoot, taking in some of the hottest spots around Tokyo. We were fortunate enough to work with a talented team of professionals, who quickly became our friends. We are grateful for the fun, joy, and impressive results that we were able to create together during this unexpected adventure.

And how could we resist the chance for a short detour to visit a traditional ryokan? We certainly couldn't. So we hopped on an amazing Shinkansen and made our way to Takegawara Onsen. The weekend felt like an immersive dream in a traditional Japanese winter wonderland, complete with all the cozy comforts and serene relaxation of a ryokan. 

One of the most memorable moments of our trip was when we emerged at 5 am in the morning to a frigid outside temperature of -10 degrees. As we walked through the quiet woods alone, we were enveloped by the soft sounds of the nearby river, the occasional flutter of snowflakes falling from the trees, and the distant echoes of animal sounds coming from the mountains. We carried sticks with rattles to deter any potential bear encounters.

But the true highlight of our adventure was soaking in the onsen's 40-degree water, which was surrounded by a beautifully paved stone exterior. As snowflakes gently fell around us, we were able to experience the sensation of a little freshness when they touched our skin. It was an immersive sensory dream come to life, and a moment we'll never forget.

We can only hope to return soon, cherishing the memories of the amazing people we met, both old and new friends. We look forward to keeping in touch and continuing to build on the incredible experiences we shared.

The intersection of art, science, and technology has brought about a wave of innovation that is changing the way we view the world around us. This dynamic fusion is particularly evident in the Novartis Campus in Basel, which boasts a stunning new pavilion that marries the latest in architectural design with cutting-edge technology to create a unique canvas for artistic expression.

Designed by acclaimed architect Michele de Lucchi, the pavilion's most striking feature is the semi-transparent media facade that covers it. Developed in collaboration with iart, this facade comprises 10,000 diamond-shaped organic photovoltaic panels and 30,000 embedded LEDs that radiate light both outward and inward, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and transparency.

This unique design feature has been artfully utilized by renowned artists Daniel Canogar, Esther Hunziker, and the duo Semiconductor, who were selected by HEK - Haus für elektronische Künste, Basel, to showcase their installations. Inspired by the intricacies of the human body, their installations bring the pavilion to life, creating an immersive experience that celebrates the wonders of science, art, and technology.

The media facade's partial transparency plays a crucial role in the art installations, as it enables the light to shimmer not only over the building envelope but also through it. The roundness of the pavilion is no coincidence, as it emerged conceptually from the amorphousness of human cells, creating a powerful synergy between the art installations and the pavilion's design.

The pavilion's artistic expression through its unique media facade is a novel form of "Kunst am Bau" ("art on the building"), setting it apart from traditional art installations. After sunset, the media facade features daily displays that are enhanced with bespoke animations for special events, while during the day, it exhibits moving text.

In conclusion, the Novartis Campus pavilion is a testament to the transformative power of combining art, science, and technology. The pavilion's innovative design and use of cutting-edge technology create a canvas for artistic expression that blurs the boundaries between art, architecture, and technology, making it a truly unique destination for visitors seeking to explore the wonders of the modern world.

Last October I couldn't find the time to post the result of a great collaboration between one of my favorite experiential artists, James Turrell and the French perfume brand Lalique. James Turrell x Lalique collaboration was showcased at Paris+ par Art Basel in October. 

The collabo features limited editions of 100 each of crystal perfume bottles "Range Rider" and "Purple Sage". The bottles, inspired by the myth of Arizona and the scents of the American West, showcase Turrell's modern aesthetic and the skilled craftsmanship of the Lalique artisans. 

They come in two shapes, one round and dome-like whilst the other is an angular translucent pyramid; but both are inspired by the form of ancient Asian stupas. Turrell's primary medium is light, and he wanted to use the glass to manipulate and diffract it. Therefore, the glass was made with uniform thickness so it would diffract light consistently, rather than differently. Despite exploring new artistic territory, Turrell's focus remains on light.

The geometric shapes embedding Turrell's light studies make these bottles true works of art. The accompanying exotic wood box adds to the sensory experience of these unique, multi-sensory pieces, the result of a four-year collaboration with the artist. 

As a multi-sensory enthusiast I couldn't really lose the chance to review this magic collaboration.

Camilo Guevara March, the 60-year old son of Argentine-born revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara, has died few days ago in the month of August 2022. This event takes my memory to the time shared with him in Milan back in 2017, when we met for the Tu y Todos exhibition organized by the the Centre of Che Guevara Studies in the Cuban capital, Havana he led.

On that occasion I was asked to select and organize the art performance of a latin urban artist. I selected Victor Castillo and this following was my critic motivation:

Graffiti, street art, first as the sign, then as the art, manifest themselves, without being commissioned, in public spaces of the world’s cities. Works are imposed on spectators who have not chosen to encounter or look at them. The artists conquer an exhibition space which they have often seen denied by institutions.

It is a form rebellion, sometimes democratic and constructive, sometimes despotic and egotistic, but always active. Some of the activists who traced this public path have now found their place in the context of contemporary art and its market. This is the case for the man and artist Victor Castillo.

His childhood experience was within a Chile divided by the shadows of a recent past, by the bloodshed of a murderous dictatorship, by the deeds of men, colonels, intellectuals, and guerrillas, who, standing on the thin line between martyrs and heroes, laid the foundations of modern South America in the name of their ideals. A continent torn between two systems. Sharp values that divide not just states, but students, parents from their children, neighborhoods, and families. Che Guevara.

An ideological flash, the icon of action that frees minds and peoples from a petty, structural, systemic oppression. Che Guevara, beyond human events, is part of the creative energy that animates the creations of this Chilean Artist. The icon of Che is the living soul of the creative torment, the sublime aspiration and of the scornful sarcasm that Castillo manages to animate in the contents and atmospheres of a restless unconscious.

Lodovico Minelli Sarteri, Milan 2017

This was the mural painted for the exhibition, and few back-stage pictures in the making of.

A fine-art print of a famous Victor Castillo’s artwork was also commissioned and gifted in limited signed serie to selected references of the Centre of Che Guevara Studies.

I also preserve charming memories of those days since when good vibes are shared than serendipity completes the work. That’s why José Parlá the artist of Cuban origins was having his vernissage in Milan the same night. It was a nice opportunity to meet him and Marc Fraser Cooke again after the time spent in Tokyo. After all those inspiring encounters we chose for a family and friends dinner at a local Sicilian restaurant.

Studiocromie is a screenprinting studio and art gallery based in Grottaglie, in the south of Italy. The founder, Angelo Milano, was also the creator of FAME FESTIVAL, a self-financed illegal street art event.

Finally, after covid emergency, got the chance to be back in Puglia, meet Angelo and spend some quality time together.

Covid emergency was still in its fading period on April 2022, so masks were still almost mandatory everywhere. We were almost forced last minute to take this intercontinental bound to fix a couple of business projects. We also found time to enjoy the streets blooming, to meet old friends, make new ones and let serendipity explode as always happens in this crazy City.

Here a mix of random pics posted on IG on the first days after landing:

We assisted at the public collaboration announcement of Palace Skateboarding with Calvin Klein. Historic fashion brands partnering with emergent street ones with the hype is more and more something.

NIGO of Human Made landed also in the City from Japan to drop his new music album – taking over Time Square – and manage a few merch drops around Soho.

As always when we are in NYC we’ve been invited to a delightful evening celebration at the Explorers Club: home away from home!

Now a little backstage – personal journal post so here is a selection of “just for fun” pics taken having fun in between our work schedules. We also reserved the time for a short escape to Boston visiting our old time friend Popil!

This has been both a joyful and productive trip, can’t wait to reconnect in person our international network soon as the world will open up again.

Liechtenstein Post – formerly Die Liechtensteinische Post – is a pioneer of blockchain technology application issuing a new generation of crypto stamps. For the first time, an SQR code is integrated on the stamp entitled “Perspective” (face value: CHF 5.20) that can be scanned with a smartphone.

The app for Stamp 4.0 enables users to verify the stamps and check whether they are genuine. Through this check, the stamp is uniquely assigned to its owner and can be deposited in a personal data room (Blockchain technology). The crypto stamp is valid for postage, forgery-proof, interactive and exciting.

A special gaming option is included on the stamp. Different characters are hiding behind the stamp and you can you can deposit your game character in the Blockchain solving few puzzles.

The charming graphic design is by Sereina Hatt, Vaduz

As an avid researcher and collector I received some stamps of the first limited serie.

It's not undercover anymore we are spending some quality time in the Alps with friends visiting from California. Innovation needs special conditions to bloom so we are exploring the great outdoors.

“The iconic sound of silence” was a press experiential journey organized by MINI & BMW Italy to celebrate the world of sound design and to approach the world of sustainable mobility from a different point of view. This initiative took place at Caimi headquarters in Milan, which offered a selection of journalists the opportunity to experience highly technological sensory experiences, thanks to the Caimi Open Lab, a system of laboratories dedicated to acoustic research.

This tour into the sound of electric cars was led by Renzo Vitale, BMW Group Sound Designer and music artist specialized in acoustic engineering. I was asked to introduce a special project I directed and produced in 2021 about the sensory experience of the new MINI Electric.

A selection of press materials follows – Italian only:

• Il Sole 24 Ore article
• Ansa article
• BMW Italy official press-release