Cool House

Cool House. Milan, Italy. May 2015.  

One is the Loneliest Number. Milan, Italy. May 2015.

Rem Koolhaas was the lead architect behind Fondazione Prada in Milan, and it is incredibly fitting because it is indeed one very "Cool House." Koolhaas and his firm OMA were tasked with transforming this former distillery south of city center into a mega complex for the Prada family's extensive collection. OMA is a favorite of Prada; they collaborate on catwalks and shopfronts for the brand. In my opinion, Fondazione Prada is the best testament to their collaborative relationship. 

OMA converted seven standing buildings and created three news ones that matched the industrial style of the distillery. The Fondazione Prada was established in the 90s to be a cultural hub of cinema and art and the design of the complex honors that. It is minimal, spacious, and sleek, allowing the art and exhibitions to take center stage. However, with this being said, one of the most beautiful aspects of the foundation is part of the building itself; its 24-karat gold leaf covered tower. You can see a glimpse of the gold base in the top photo. 

Fondazione Prada has brought new life to a largely ignored neighborhood of Milan and I look forward to the day I get to visit it again and see the changes it brings to the surrounding area. 

Wes Anderson's Vision

Headless Host. Milan, Italy. May 2015.

Zissou Zissou. Milan, Italy. January 2016.

Stepping into Bar Luce at the Fondazione Prada in Milan is stepping foot into the mind of Wes Anderson. Bar Luce could easily be a set from one of his films, a pastel palette, color-blocking, retro details, and symmetry, signatures of his whimsical films. The café, a throwback to Milanese cafés of the 50s and 60s, is just one of several collaborations between Prada and Wes Anderson. Anderson also directed a series of short films worth watching for the designer, Castello Cavalcanti and PRADA Candy series. Together they are a perfect collaboration and no visit to Milan is complete without experiencing it. 

Sleep with the Fishes

Sleep with the Fishes. Milan, Italy. May 2015. 

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the newly opened Fondazione Prada in the Lodi neighborhood of Milan. So much hype and publicity surrounded this new space before the May 9th opening that I had to make it my first gallery stop in Milan. The foundation site is comprised of several large industrial buildings repurposed to house a collection of classical and contemporary art and film. My expectations were quite high and although I did not love all the contemporary art inside, it was an afternoon well spent. The gallery is a beautifully curated space and a very unique experience. Every space looked photo ready and the long cavernous halls of the buildings facilitated an easy flow through the exhibits. One of my favorite installations is this aquarium housed in the cistern of an old distillery along with two other pieces. To me, it is both disturbing and soothing at the same time. It is called "Love Lost" by Damien Hirst (2000), but I'll informally refer to it as "Sleep with the Fishes". 

For more on the Prada Foundation: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/26/arts/design/the-prada-foundations-new-arts-complex-in-milan.html