L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano L ouis (Luigi) Smaldino was born on July 3, 1920 in Comune di Adelfia, Provinciadi di Bari, Italy, and passed away on March 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA. Louis emigrated from Italy in 1937, and worked in the garment industry during the day and went to school at night. He was married to his beloved wife Margaret Irene Seals on November 9, 1950. Through his adult life he worked for the Continental Baking Company and for I.T.T until his retire- ment in 1980. Louis never forgot his Italian heritage, and was very active in the Italian Community of Los Angeles. He was known for his eloquent writing style and his passion for opera and travel. He wrote many articles for the L'Italo Americana newspaper. Louis was preceded in death by his father Nicola Smaldi- ni, mother Antonia Rosati, brother Vincent Smaldino and his wife Margaret Irene. He leaves behind his loving companion Susan Human, his nephews Nicholas J. Smaldino and Louis M. Smaldino, and his nieces Sherryl Cates and Tereese Radenbaugh, along with many lov- ing friends and relatives in Los Angeles and Italy. Services will be held at St. Peter's Italian Catholic Church on Saturday, March 24th, with a viewing service at 8:00 am, Celebration Mass at 10:00 am fol- lowed by his interment at Forest Lawn of Glendale with a reception to follow at St. Peter's. Published in the Los Angeles Times on Mar. 18, 2018 E xploring the relation- ship between design and sustainability with an exhibit and a round table among design experts. This was the Ital- ian Design Day in the World's goal, an initiative created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation (MAECI), this year at its second edition. Focusing on the theme of sustainability, the event high- lights the Italian effort to create a style that embraces functionality and aesthetics while respecting the environment. "Among this initiative's goals – stated the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles Antonio Verde at the opening of the ceremony – "we find the promotion of design as a true Italian cultural tradition, deeply rooted in all of our differ- ent regions, a driving force of our industrial production and exports." Guest of honor was Roman artist and architect Massimo Catalani, one of the 100 testimo- nials chosen by MAECI as an "Ambassador" of Italian Design in the World. Catalani's latest works focus on sea life and marine wildlife conservation, against illegal fishing. L'Italo- Americano had the opportunity to interview him. As an ambassador of Italian design in the world what kind of responsibility do you feel SILVIA NITTOLI Design and craftamnship are Italian excellences In loving memory of Luigi Smaldino July 3, 1920 - March 9, 2018 built and decorated a villa in Costa Mesa, CA. Thanks to Italia Bellissima, over 100 craftsmen exported their works to the US, Northern Europe, Great Britain and Australia. "The United States are a very receptive market to novelty and design, it is certainly one of the countries that best appreciates Italian style." Andrea Capellino tells us. "I think that Italian com- panies should not follow other trends, but they should strongly believe in their abilities by imposing their style, in addition to their traditions. In general, Italian style is appreciated every- where and it will continue to be appreciated for its creativity and skill, but it will find its real strength especially if it manages to remain global. Which kind of Italian arts and crafts are more appreciat- ed by the Americans? Tailor-made products are the most successful; in general, our made in Italy and its sensitivity are very much appreciated too. I think about the processing of ter- racotta, marble, glass and fab- rics, but also to our ability and experience with fresco and mosaic. What are your goals for the future? The goal is to work a lot on contemporary art in order to con- vey our traditions. And also change perspective! Young peo- ple don't approach craftsman- ship because they think of it as a "low" type of career. Craftsman- ship needs them and their knowl- edge, needs people with a deep knowledge of the materials, peo- ple that studied and are able to give new forms to the them, for different purposes. During the course of the evening Catalani, Berruti, and Capellino received the IIC Los Angeles Creativity Award, which recognizes international Italian excellence. Inspired by the ceiling of the Pantheon in Rome, the award was designed specifically for the Institute by internationally known artist and fashion designer Emilio Cavalli- ni. Italian Design Day is an ini- tiative created in 2017 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (MiBACT), the Triennale di Milano, the Italian Trade Agency, the Salone del Mobile di Milano, the Association for Industrial Design, the Compasso d'Oro Foundation and the Alt- agamma Foundation, as part of the project "Vivere ALL'Ital- iana" which promotes Italy's culture, economy, language and scientific research. you have? This time I felt a new, differ- ent form of responsibility. I was really struck by the Triennale's last title "Design takes on human surviving," as designing the future and human survival is one of the noblest things human beings can do in the course of their existence: designing the environment to live harmonious- ly in it. Italy has shown the world to be a very sensitive country with a lot of respect for this issue and it makes me proud. What kind of message would you like to send? That we are in an era of huge transformation and we must not be scared. We must be prepared and responsible, very curious and possibly fast. The delay we are having in dealing with the changes of the planet will even- tually cost us a lot. So we must study and act. What topics did you decide to bring up in this meeting at the IIC in Los Angeles? I showed a short film, and brought two examples. The short film was created after I partook in a cooking contest at the Expo, where I teamed up with a chef, and we had to make a three and a half minutes video recipe. Rather than a commercial, we shot a small film, the story of three men and Moby Dick. The recipe was about a freshly caught fish to be eaten raw. The two examples were about the relationship between art and sustainable architecture, at once an ancient and very current topic, and about art blending with environmental protection. In the first case I talked about an international university competi- tion for universities organized by the American Government, the Solar Decathlon, which finances twenty finalist projects with the construction of solar houses and a competition that includes ten technical tests. We won the bronze medal. The sec- ond example was about an underwater marine park in Tus- cany, with sculptures placed on seabeds that had to be protected from illegal trawling: people passing by could take a hammer and a chisel and give their con- tribution in defending of a com- mon good, the sea. How has your work been influenced by this? My paintings, in the last five years, shifted from architectural images to marine mammals, pine trees and pine forests images. Now I have an ongoing work in which I try to represent this enormous flow of inputs over- whelming us in this new crazy way of life we all have. The program also included the opening of the exhibit Deli- neo: Italia Bellissima Meets Valerio Berruti. The show brought to Los Angeles for the first time handmade creations, fabrics and ceramics part of the project Italia Bellissima, by the architect Andrea Capellino, along with works of sculptor and painter Valerio Berruti, interna- tionally known for his direct approach, essential lines and everyday subjects. "I am enthu- siastic to collaborate to this pro- ject – Valerio Berruti said – because I maintain the impor- tance of dialog between art and crafts. Italia Bellissima allows to support this connection, help- ing artisans and artists to connect so that both can take advantage of each other's knowledge and skills. The exhibit is open until May 31st. Supported by Capellino Architettura and a network of Italian architecture and interior design firms, Italia Bellissima is dedicated to the promotion of Italian craftmanship excellence and expertise, rooted in the tradi- tions of the different regions of Italy and of its employ in design and architecture. To use the brand Italia Bellissima, artisans must adhere to its "manifesto" according to which productions must be unique and completely made in Italy, with respect for the environment, the genius loci, and the result of fair working practices. As part of the project, between 2009 and 2014, Archi- tect Andrea Capellino designed, LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY From L to R: Console Generale Antonio Verde, Massimo Catalani, Valerio Berruti, Andrea Capellino, IIC Director Valeria Rumori. Photo: Stefania Rosini

• Cover