Gaetano Pesce, pioneer in design, architecture and art known for his Humanist approach to the mediums, remains unyielding in his refusal to conform or be measured. His works in architecture, town planning, interior design, industrial design, and exhibition design – realized globally in public and private projects – are marked by his constant experimentation and outright rejection of repetition.

Now, being commissioned by Bottega Veneta to create a temporary site-specific artwork for the Summer ‘23 Bottega Veneta fashion show, the creative conversation continues with Pesce as a new stage is explored. Once again being granted the creative freedom owed an artist like Pesce, this time in the brand’s Montenapoleone store, Pesce brings to life a one-of-a-kind installation titled ‘Vieni a Vedere’ (Come and See) for Salone Del Mobile.

This immersive installation, spanning the store between April 15 and April 22, incorporates resin and fabric to create a unique experience for visitors as they journey through it. Notably, it also serves as a frame for an edition of handbags crafted by Bottega Veneta according to Pesce’s designs titled ‘My Dear Mountains’ and ‘My Dear Prairies’, further showcasing the collaboration between the artist and the brand. 

“The space in which we present the bags is ‘a grotto’. It is narrow and is walked through one by one, whether it is underground or above, you find a way through. What you are actually walking through is the outline of a figure shooting for a basket. He represents almost a victory – it is not clear whether it goes in. In this case, the victory is discovery, the discovery of the language of representation. It is about opening new ways for design.” says Pesce about the new installation. “This is my first design of a bag and it is figurative – two mountains with a sunrise or a sunset behind. I wanted a bag with an optimistic view. There is a capacity to realize anything at Bottega Veneta and this bag opens up a way to express future design. The design of the future has to be figurative and it has to communicate–such an object has to tell a story.”

Pesce's handbags embrace figuration and personal stories rather than mere functionality, incorporating unique handcraft and creativity. Inspired by his early life near the mountains in Italy and the prairies of America where he currently resides, these bags are a reflection of his personal experiences. Crafted by Bottega Veneta's skilled leather workers and artisans, the signature Intrecciato technique is employed in a new way based on Pesce's sketches. The result is a stunning combination of smooth mountain-like textures and grassy prairie-like patterns, created using meticulous handcrafted techniques that evoke a sense of joy. Each Intrecciato bag is individually painted with an airbrush technique to resemble Pesce's watercolor rendering of the mountains, while a crochet technique is utilized for the prairies using calf and lamb leathers in varying shades of green.

These artist's editions are highly limited in number and are individually numbered and documented, with 'My Dear Mountains' limited to 15 with 1AP (Artist's Proof) and 'My Dear Prairies' limited to 3 with 1AP (Artist's Proof).

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