A timeless work of art is born from the collaboration between the French artist Xavier Casalta and Bellini Nautica.
by Roberta De Gasperi and Luca Bizzarri
Art and design, aesthetic taste and attention to detail, prestigious finishes and excellent performance to give life to an iconic Riva Aquarama reinterpreted by the style of Xavier Casalta, a French creative known for his skills as an illustrator and for the audacity that distinguishes each of his works. The unprecedented creation was presented during an evening event in Clusone d’Iseo at the headquarters of Bellini Nautica, the leading Italian shipyard in the restoration of vintage Riva boats and in the sale of new and used yachts. As per tradition, also this year Bellini has activated an exclusive collaboration with an internationally renowned artist choosing for this new work Casalta, a true master in the stippling technique, which involves the exclusive use of millions of small dots of black ink on paper with patience, meticulousness and a steady hand. And here, thanks to the alternation of light and shadow and light and dark, the artist’s reinterpretation of Riva Aquarama gives life to a rhythm that transports the guest into a calm reality, where the balance of
repetition reigns supreme of millions of dots that follow one another.
“Having shaken the vintage Riva sector with the breaking of some paradigms in recent years – explain the company’s top management – we felt the need to immerse ourselves and communicate through an image the two values that guide our work every day. In Xavier we have found the perfect artist, his works represent a harmonious union of two characteristics that complement each other, where one could not exist without the other: precision and patience”.
This incredible Riva Aquarama is part of the Four Seasons series, a collection of four creations developed on a square surface that each reproduce a season with flowers and fruits that become interchangeable and skilfully mixed subjects. 2,000 hours of work were needed to make them, with an average of 500/600 hours for each single work.
“I have a strong bond with Bellini and Riva Aquarama – declares Casalta – the artisan component that each of these boats requires is simply fascinating and I find many affinities with my artistic production. Dedicating entire weeks, months and in some cases years to create something unique and special, with the obsessive attention of those who want to be sure that every aspect and detail has been considered and examined, unites us”.
The artistic project was exhibited free of charge to the public in the shipyard during the two days following the event with the intention both of presenting a series of works created to celebrate the collaboration with Bellini Nautica, and of paying a real tribute to the world of craftsmanship and what was created by man in ancient times with extreme dedication and great skill. A wide-ranging journey therefore: not only the restoration and care of the legendary wooden boats, but also pure creation, bringing new meanings and current aesthetic concepts into the Riva universe.
www.bellininautica.it
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