illy Unveils Art Cup Collection for 2024 Venice Biennale

For the 60th Venice Biennale, illy launches #illyBeyondVenice, a campaign featuring four emerging artists selected by curator Adriano Pedrosa from the 'Stranieri Ovunque/Foreigners Everywhere' exhibition. The artists—Aycoobo Wilson Rodríguez (Colombia), Mahku collective (Brazil), Paula Nicho (Guatemala), and Rember Yahuarcani (Peru)—were invited by illy's Artistic Director to create designs on the brand's iconic white porcelain cups. The collection is showcased in a floating installation on Venice's canals. The campaign includes print and station presence in Milan, Turin, Rome, Florence, and Venice during the first two weeks of May, with cups available for purchase on illy.com. Paula Nicho, considered the most important living Maya Guatemalan artist, depicted scenes of discrimination faced for wearing traditional attire, highlighting women's strength and indigenous self-determination. Rember Yahuarcani reproduced mythical creatures from the Amazon. Aycoobo Wilson Rodríguez reinterpreted his work 'The Shaman's Dream,' illustrating the shaman's connection with nature. The Mahku collective narrated the myth of kapewë pukeni (the alligator-bridge), explaining the separation of peoples and places. illycaffè CEO Cristina Scocchia stated the collection embraces the Biennale's theme of foreignness, promoting dialogue and inclusion through contemporary art, respecting cultural roots and nature.