Casa Italia at Rio 2016 Olympics Blends Art and Design

For the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has established Casa Italia at the Club Costa Brava, a historic club in the Joà neighborhood designed by architect Ricardo Menescal in the 1960s. The venue, accessible via a 98-meter bridge, offers ocean and hill views. Curator Beatrice Bertini, with Benedetta Acciari and Claudia Pignatale of Secondome gallery, conceived "Horizontal," an exhibition format integrating art and design without hierarchy. The bridge features a light installation by ILM-Lighting connecting works by vedovamazzei and Bianco-Valente. Other artists include Piero Golia, Guendalina Salini, Francesco Simeti, Massimo Bartolini, Gianfranco Baruchello, Paola Pivi, and Brazilian Vik Muniz. Design pieces include the Bocca sofa by Studio 65 for Gufram, Edra's On the Rocks seating, Emmanuel Babled's Etnastone tables, and Vico Magistretti's Vidun and Quadrato tables. Lighting design is by FaberTECHNICA and Marco Frascarolo. Casa Italia opens August 3, 2016.