June 6–September 20, 2018
The toy designer as a symbol of the blurred boundaries between disciplines, showcase of sculptures, design objects, drawings, paintings, merchandising. Highlighting the Design Methodology and techniques shared between art and design: 3D Design, prototyping, packaging, branding.
IED – Istituto Europeo di Design, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles (IIC LA) are delighted to present NOT AN ARTIST: Toyboyz Edition an exhibition investigating the artistic phenomenon of Toy Design through the work of four distinguished personalities: Fidia Falaschetti, Joe Ledbetter/J.Led, Massimo Giacon, and tokidoki/ Simone Legno.
The show will highlight their own unique artistic expressions, links to different creative disciplines, business models and connections with Design Companies such as Alessi, IKEA, Kartell as well as the relationships between Italy and USA.
NOT AN ARTIST, the international research project led by IED exploring contemporary cultural professions, lands in Los Angeles during the LA Design Festival after previous editions in Istanbul and Venice
Opening: June 6, 7:30pm
Conference: June 6, 6pm doors open, 6:30pm presentation begins
“The role of NOT ARTISTS in the contemporary art scene. The Professions involved in the business of the Toy Design, a view from inside.”
Valeria Rumori, IIC Director Los Angeles
Igor Zanti, Art Critic and Curator, IED Venezia Director
Fidia Falaschetti, Artist and Designer
Massimo Giacon, Artist and Designer
Giorgia Mannucci, Art Manager
Moderated by Jacopo Manganiello, IED International Marketing Manager
NOT AN ARTIST is an international research project led by IED - Istituto Europeo di Design. The project outlines the evolution of professional figures in contemporary art and culture.
It started through an internal workshop aimed at delineating the evolution of art-related careers. Two lines of research emerged:
NOT AN ARTIST AS PROFESSIONAL: Discovering the professional roles of contemporary art.
NOT AN ARTIST AS DESIGNER: Exploring the blurred boundaries between disciplines.
The workshop inspired the reorganization of IED course offerings within the ART department. The research continued and involved Curators, Artists, Designers and Cultural Institutions in the context of international events such as Istanbul Biennial and Venice Biennial in 2017.
The upcoming dates scheduled for 2018 are LA Design Festival with NOT AN ARTIST: Toyboyz Edition in Los Angeles and MANIFESTA 12, in Palermo.
NOT AN ARTIST is curated by Jacopo Manganiello and Igor Zanti.
