L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 www.italoamericano.com 6 From developers and manufacturers to designers and architects: shaping the Bay Area with Italian creativity Taking a passeggiata along C o l u m b u s s t r e e t i n S a n Francisco can turn into a unique opportunity: in fact, in the way it keeps the authentic charm from its origins, North Beach is not a neighborhood as the oth- ers. This is mainly due to the a r c h i t e c t u r e o f h o u s e s a n d restaurants populating the area since the late 1800s. Both resi- dential and business buildings have usually a common feature, still recognized as the key to their popularity: being Italian. Over years, the Italian-American community has not only con- tributed in shaping the Bay Area with design and architecture, but also thanks to successful manu- facturers and developers. This and much more has been dis- cussed during an event at his- toric Club Fugazi, organized by the Italian Community Service and the Business Association Italy America (BAIA). The sec- o n d e d i t i o n o f t h e e v e n t explored the topic through the eyes of an historian, Alessandro B a c c a r i ; a n a r c h i t e c t , L u c a Pignata; and an entrepreneur, Alessio De Francesca. "Following the earthquake, six thousands homes were built by Italians for Italians to remain in San Francisco. Nowadays, Italians come to explore and with a desire of staying. What they bring is pride, excitement, and creativity." This is how Mr Baccari, North Beach historian and writer, a second-generation Tuscan/Molisano, started his journey through the history of Italians in the Bay Area. Indeed, one of the most significant sto- ries he told regarded Marino Nibbi, whose family moved to C h i c a g o f r o m L u c c a . T h e n , Marino came to San Francisco by himself and started working in a company as a delivery guy. "One day - Mr Baccari continues - he said "I want to work for the Giusti's" [the main building contractor and developer in the Bay Area at that time e.d.]. He went there, learnt and grew. When the firm didn't give him t h e p r o m i s e d v a c a t i o n p a y , Marino said "If I don't get my vacation pay by Monday, I'm not coming to work." He never did but immediately reacted: he started over with some repair works and eventually launched a company which is now one of the biggest general contractors in the Bay Area". Another challenging perspec- tive came from the other "soul" o f t h e p a n e l , L u c a P i g n a t a : " S i n c e I c a m e h e r e , I w a s a m a z e d b y h o w t h e I t a l i a n design was creating a strong identity in the Bay Area". Luca has been working for Backen, Gillam & Kroeger Architects since 2000 and he knows this world very well: "What interests m e i s h o w m u c h I t a l i a n l i f e affects the identity here. The role of architecture is to create a framework: it's all about how you use the elements you have. That's what these people appre- c i a t e t h e m o s t a b o u t I t a l i a n architects and designers. It's easy to talk and share ideas with them." Alessio de Francesca, who is Principal at CoorItalia, founded his company after a time work- ing in the nonprofit world. At t h e b e g i n n i n g , h e n a m e d i t 'Coordinamento Italia' in order SERENA PERFETTO t o s h o w h o w h e w a s a d d i n g value through his knowledge of Italian materials and manufac- turers: after 13 years in the Bay Area, he proudly admitted that, as an Italian, it's not tough to run a business here, as long as you know how to create a chan- nel with your Italian partners. W h a t a l l t h e s p e a k e r s believed has made, and still makes, a difference in the con- tribution Italians give to the Bay Area is creativity, which is an important part of their heritage: as Luca explained, "I constantly look back at my background to find ideas. My heritage helps a lot in developing all my pro- jects, especially the wineries. W h e n I f i r s t s t a r t e d , p e o p l e could not understand how an Italian winery represents first of all a family tradition. I had to sit down and explain why making wine in Italy is a 'family affair' which recalls a tradition and implies a celebration. The bar i t s e l f b e c o m e s j u s t a p l a c e where to store the wine." "Constructions in Italy are regional, which means it is hard for a community to adopt an architecture style from another area." According to Alessio, it is important that his clients under- stand how Italians are proud of their traditions and heritage: "We realized that, when coming back from Italy, we cannot only bring authentic materials but also stories to tell. Since we all grew up in Italy, what we see is familiar to us and part of our h i s t o r y . A m e r i c a n c l i e n t s , instead, have to learn, explore. W o r k i n g w i t h p r e c i s i o n a n d looking at details is part of the Italian experience, and we want to share it with them. That's w h y f o r u s i t i s c r u c i a l t h a t clients go to Italy and see where and how the work is done. We can show it just on paper, but we prefer to see them walking on the factory floor before they ask us to provide that material". Three fascinating perspec- tives of how Italians design and think about architecture. A mix- ture of history, passion, and tra- dition, well explained in a few final words by Mr. Baccari: "When you deal with architec- ture and design, you need to be like an artist and understand how you can work with materi- als and how they will fit in the environment. I am so happy to see these guys offering ideas, this is the gift of Italianità: it's like to say "We have it, but we want to share with Americans. We want to fit in and maybe our creativity will take us to the top". Paul Tonelli, the moderator, e Federico Brocero from BAIA Feb. 14, Sat. - Valentine's Day with Romeo and Juliet - Special Valentine's Day event at the Castro Theatre: Marc Huestis pre- sents Franco Zeffirelli's production of Romeo and Juliet. Leonard Whiting will attend in person. Discounts for IIC mem- bers, 415 788 7142, or email media@sfiic.org Feb. 15, Sat. - Documentary Film: "Men of the Cloth", an inspiring portrait of three Italian master tailors; Nino Corvato, Checchino Fonticoli and Joe Centofanti. one-time screening at the Italian Center, 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael CA 95608. Info: (916) 482-5900 Feb. 20, Fri. - 2015 Italian Film Festival Movie: "DIECI INVERNI" (TEN WINTERS). Starring Isabella Ragonese, Michele Riondino, Glen Blackhall. Directed by Valerio Mieli; set in Venice. In Italian with English subtitles. (2009). Italian Center, 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael CA 95608. Info: (916) 482-5900 Feb. 22, Sun. - Book Presentation: "Forever Florence, True Tales of Italian Intrigue" . Author Rona Commins brings Renaissance Florence alive in her new book. Italian Center, 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael CA 95608. Info: (916) 482- 5900. Feb. 22, Sun. - TenFourteen presents Luciano Berio and other composers. World premieres interspersed with masterpieces of 20th-century music. The new works, interspersed with modern masterpieces by Varese, Berio, Birtwistle, and others, will s how cas e S F C M P ' s dynamis m and innovation. C al Performances Hertz Hall, Berkeley – 7:00 pm (pre-concert talk: 6-6:30). Info (510) 642-9988. ticketscalperformances.org Feb. 22, Sun. - Il Segreto – documentary film. Award winning documentary, promoted by Neapolitan music producer and cul- tural operator Salvatore Visone, is a fascinating look at the streets of Naples and the bands of children that live on them. Museo Italo Americano. RSVP to (415) 673-2200 Feb. 25, Thurs. - Lecture By Luisa del Giudice: "Sabato Rodia's Towers in Watts: Art, Migration, Development". Luisa del Giudice, Executive Director of the Italian Oral History Institute, Los Angeles will be presenting her edited col- lection. D w inelle H all, 2100 Berkeley Way, B erkeley, California 94720. Info http://italian.berkeley.edu Don Parachini introducing the panel on behalf of the ICS From far left, the moderator Paul Tonelli, Alessandro Baccari, Luca Pignata and Alessio de Francesca

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