L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 18 Italy's Fontani Mosaici: The Art of Beauty "A Knock-out Event" The Marconi Foundation's Annual "Fight Night" Fundraiser We live in a modern world; one where we communicate by text messages, watch more t.v. than we should, and rush around the day with barely enough time to breathe. But no matter how dependent on technology we become and how fast paced our lives are, something deep within us craves beauty. Whether it be in our homes, our gardens, our churches, we want more than just concrete and slab, and that is perhaps what makes Fantini Mosaici so relevant in today's world. Through their use of impeccable workmanship and dedication to this ancient art form, the Fantini company has helped palaces, boutiques, pri- vate residences, and many other places around the world, become more beautiful. Domenico Fantini, the compa- ny's founder, began to work as a local mosaic artisan in Milano, Italy in 1900. Using the finest materials, and techniques that date back to the ancient Romans and Greeks, he established the fundamental framework that is still being employed by its work- force to this day. Domenico's big break came when he was commissioned to provide the flooring for the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milano. Fantini continued to grow his company with other large scale jobs that included the Università Cattolica and the Università Agraria. In 1969, a new generation of Fantinis which included Italo (Domenico's son), Marco, Andrea, and today's current CEO, Enrico Fantini, eventually took over the business. From its humble beginnings, Fantini Mosaici is today an international enterprise with over 200 employees. Despite its tremendous success, the compa- ny still manages to maintain that small family business feel as even the CFO is Enrico's moth- er, Ersilia Fantini, who oversees their massive financial depart- ment. And while many family businesses are often fraught with internal conflict and envy, the Fantinis remain close-knit, and are able to thrive by maintaining one significant philosophy- a dedication to providing a superi- or product for their clientele. Andrea Falconi, the Sales Director, who is responsible for the business in the West Coast, said, "There's a strong founda- tion that has been passed down by the forefathers. This passion and love for their work is so strong, it's in their DNA." Another challenge that many family businesses face is that often the family members become the center of attention while the products fall by the wayside. This is not the case with Fantini. The mosaics are the epicenter of this family enter- prise. Whereas so many products these days are mass produced in factories, the Fantini's final pro- jects are a stunning display of both art and engineering, and of painstaking attention to detail and quality. In fact, the process of installation has not changed since its early days. Yes, com- puters have helped with the designing process but the actual techniques, and even the glue have been around for thousands of years. "We cut the tiles by hand, we place them, using the same techniques used by the Greeks and Romans 2000 years ago. All of the hues or colors, la sfumatura, you can see," Falconi stated, as he explained the uniqueness of each finished product. For example, all these factors help make a tulip in the center of a terrazzo appear life- like and vibrant. With the company in existence for four generations, this type of experience and knowledge has given their business a competi- tive edge in a world where com- panies often come and go within months. It is this type of exper- tise which has helped create tremendous demand. With a clientele that includes world leaders, CEOs, and royalty, one of their crowning achievements, and most massive undertakings came in 2003 when they began work on the La Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, also referred to as the Mosque of Flowers. Completed in 2008, the end result is a stunning dis- play of flora, all intricately inlaid with the use of pebblestone, semi-precious stones, and gold inlay. Tustin, California— On Friday, March 14th, the Marconi Automotive Museum and Foundation for Kids will once again hold its annual "Fight Night" fundraising event. Along with a gourmet dinner and a silent auction, the event will also feature action-packed, world class boxing and world- title kick boxing. Specials guests will include boxing legend, Sugar Ray Leonard; professional boxer and former WBC champi- on, Mia St. John; and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, the beloved Italian American who once held the World Boxing Association lightweight champi- onship. Since its inception in 1998, Fight Night has raised over $350,000 each year, while the Marconi Foundation for Kids has continually strived to help raise $1 million annually for at risk youth and other local chil- dren's charities. This year, proceeds from Fight Night will benefit the Infinite Hero Foundation. Servicing the needs of returning veterans and their families, Infinite Hero pro- vides veterans with innovative rehabilitation programs that aide in the treatment of any mental and physical issues. Along with her husband, Mr. Dick Marconi, Priscilla Bo Marconi, CEO of the Marconi Automotive Museum and Foundation For Kids, will be in attendance. "Fight Night is THE premiere sports fundraiser in Orange County, " Bo Marconi stated while overseeing the fundraiser's last minute details. "We are thrilled to have raised millions of dollars for at risk children's charities through this event. And we look forward to another knock out evening with our charity partner, Infinite Hero." For more information on the museum, the foundation and Fight Night, visit www.marcon- imuseum.org Not one to rest on their laurels, Fantini latest projects includes the New Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi and the Versace bou- tiques worldwide. The Italian designer, Gianni Versace, was pivotal in introducing Fantini Mosaici stateside, as he had commissioned them to work on his mansion turned hotel. With an office located in Newport Beach, Fantini is bring- ing their artistry to private resi- dences and businesses in California. "We renovated the entire master bath with an Italian marble and mosaic, a marble mosaic carpet in the corridor and the swimming pool with glass and gold mosaic," Falconi explained, describing a recent job in Palos Verdes. Fantini is involved with the entire process from design to installation. "The majority of competitors do not do installation. We do a project well with stunning results." In an age where so many com- panies spend millions on adver- tisement, and try to always go the faster and cheaper route, Fantini has maintained a dominating presence both in business and in art. Instead of looking ahead to the future, they have looked to the past, at their great grandfather for inspiration, and it is the quality of their work that has reigned supreme. As Andrea Falconi stated, "Our best marketing resides on the many iconic projects we have done worldwide for more than a cen- tury, where our craftsmanship and attention to detail speak for themselves." For more information, go to www.FantiniMosaici.com GAYA lYNN Andrea Falconi, West Coast director, Fantini Mosaici Craftsmanship work of Fantini mosaic's creations Mar.15, Sat. - Cascade of Fashions – 10:30am Orange County Italian American Women at the Oak Creek Golf Club, Irvine. $35 per person. Send check to: Lucy Gallo 21736 Newvale Dr. Lake Forest 92630 Proceeds benefit Guide Dogs for the Blind for more information: 949-837-1198 or anneruggera@cox.net Mar. 15, Sat. – Mercantino Delle Feste at Newport Italian 7:00pm -10:00pm Embrace the touch of Italy in the winter time by visiting an Italian street market tradition. Italian ven- dors and authentic food booths. 1536 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92627 newportitalian.com Mar. 19, Wed.- St. Joseph's Day at Mission San Juan Capistrano- Visit the historic Mission for a full day of enter- tainment, ringing of the historic bells and see our St. Joseph's table. Take the award winning audio tour in both English and Italian. For more information visit http://www.missionsjc.com/ Mar. 19, Wed. – Language & Social Justice in Italy Lecture Series; Growing Up Fast – The Rhetoric of Resilience among Inner City Neapolitan Girls. 6:00pm at CSULB AS384 For more info contact: Graziadio Center for Italian Studies ManuelRomero@csulb.edu. Mar. 22, Sat. - Italian Entry in the Swallow's Day Parade & Post Parade Party at Zoomars!!! Don't miss the fun and exci- tement of participating in the Italian entry in the 56th Annual Swallow's Day Parade. Show your Italian pride by carrying a regional flag of Italy, walk alongside Roman soldiers or travel in a horse drawn trolley (available for those not able to walk). Post parade party at Zoomars: The cost for the buffet is $17.95 per person for adults $7.95 for children 10 & under. Tickets can be purchased for the buffet at: www.MissionGrillSJC.com Marconi Automotive Museum

• Cover