L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano Ambassador of Two Worlds, Cosimo Pizzulli: Designer and Visionary With such a deep passion for both Italian culture and U .S innovation, Italian-American Cosimo Pizzulli has definitely left his mark in both worlds. A sculptor, interior designer, and innovator himself, Cosimo has become the head of an architec- tural firm that combines the clas- sical flavor of Italian art with the modern technology of the con- temporary U.S. Growing up in Italy and in the United States has given Cosimo the opportunities that many oth- ers have only dreamt of. He gives all of the credit to his grandfather, w ho w as bold enough to move from the small tow n of P uglia, Italy, to the United States with nothing but a small suitcase full of hopes and dreams for his family. Raised in Brooklyn, Cosimo then moved back to Taranto with his family for six years. There he rediscov- ered his Italian background and culture, and reconnected with his family roots and his Italian iden- tity. He also discovered his pas- sion for art, and Renaissance influence in design and sculp- ture. After receiving his college degree in the U.S, he moved back to Italy and worked with famous architect, Anna Castelli F errieri. D uring his s tay in M ilan, Cos imo learned new skills and furthered his knowl- edge in Italian architecture and design. He, then, returned to America, Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he was in high demand due to his experience working for Ms. Castelli and other global ambassadors. Cosimo calls himself a "mod- ern-day Renaissance man", a lover for the simple beauty in sculpture and architecture that brings perspectives from the old world into the new world and combines them both together to create a new art form. What was it like when your fath er h ad moved you an d your family back to Italy to work? We lived in a very tight Italian community in Taranto. I had forgotten my English and American background, so com- ing back from living in Italy was a challenge, and it was very dif- ficult to refocus as a young per- son. Fortunately, our family always ate together, aunts and THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015 www.italoamericano.com 4 BECKY ZEFERINO uncles and every one ate togeth- er every night. My father then had a new job opportunity in Santa Barbara, and that is when I w as firs t introduced to California. I was a senior in high school at the time, but was col- lege-educated back in N ew York. Cosimo currently resides n ear Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. He finds that living in Los Angeles has given him freedom to create a new indus- try in design. California has no true histori- cal roots in terms of architecture and industry, in comparison to places like New York. It was important for me to come to California and bring this sense of industry and design, where there is more conceptual space that is open to more interpreta- tions and expressions. I, sort of, have become a "bridge" to make a connection that people can identify with. How was your experience in working for famous Italian arch itect A n n a C as telli Ferrieri in Milan at such a young age? Anna Castelli and I worked on innovations of modern design and post-WWII design, and Italy was undergoing modernization and industrialization. In Italy, there is very good sense of time in terms of classical design and contemporary design. It gets refined over the decades by peo- ple that work on this sort of blending, which is what I work on. All designers from the stu- dio of Anna Castelli composed of representatives from different countries all over the world: Chile, Japan, China, Holland, Rus s ia, Italy, and the only A merican w as mys elf. We would all hand-made prototypes in the factory, eat lunch together, and sit and talk in places along the countryside. Th e d oor to th e fas h ion in d u s try w as als o op en to Cosimo, which gave him more opportunities to work in the US. While in Milan, I was also introduced to the fashion world, w here I w as able to us e my drawing skills to sketch photo shoots and clothing models. I was very excited with all the opportunities and the great depth of experiences I was receiving during this time. I left with such a richness of history, culture, materials and knowledge that led me to find jobs in the US, with pay that was double my salary in Milan. With all your experiences, what do you consider is your ultimate passion? Sculpture, design, and visual arts. I love using my hands, so winemaking will always be one of my passions as well. While it is one of my hobbies, winemak- ing kind of turned into a business for me too. I produce it the same way my grandfather produced it, 100% natural: you take the grapes from the vineyard; you stem them, crush them, ferment them, bottle it and drink it. Nothing else is added, no chemi- cals or sulfates. I am only repeat- ing a classical tradition. C os imo h as a d ream of moving back to Italy and revis- it his grandfather's town in Puglia, where he can always revisit his memory. If my grandfather had never made that trip from Puglia to the U.S., I would never be the man I am now. I plan to go back to Puglia and revisit such a town with simplicity in architecture and beautiful agricultural lands. The tow n creates a blend of modern day technology with something really old. I live in this world (US), but I can always go back to that world and live in there… for a moment. That to me is very interesting. Cosimo Pizzulli The Pizzulli Family

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