Feeding the mind - From origins to the future in harmony with the planet

Milan, 11th June 2014 – In preparation for Expo 2015, illy is opening the “Feeding the Mind” exhibition at the Triennale di Milano today. A narrative journey that accompanies us in the lead up to the exhibition by exploring the values of the brand and the places where it works from bean to cup through illy’s preferred language of choice - contemporary art. From origins to the future, in harmony with the planet.

Food for the mind, a fillip for creativity and a source of inspiration, coffee is the main character in the themed hall that the company has specially organised with dedicated content in its role as Official Coffee Partner of Expo Milano 2015.

People, sustainability and art are the main focus of the story told by illy through this exhibition in the Triennale. On display in the illyartlab will be twenty-eight previously unseen black-and-white photographs taken by the celebrated humanist photographer Sebastião Salgado in Costa Rica and Salvador. The images portray the story, traditions and the landscapes that are home to the plantations from which illy gets its supplies of the precious beans used to make its unique blend.

The new illy Art Collection, a collection of illy sustainArt cups for Expo 2015, will be unveiled in the Triennale DesignCafé at the Triennale. illy brings two worlds together – the world of the coffee-producing countries with the world of consumers. Four young artists from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ethiopia and Honduras have been selected through the illy sustainArt project, which promotes and supports artists from emerging countries around the world, to create a unique, limited edition collection. Esteban Piedra León (Costa Rica), Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa (Guatemala), Elias Simé (Ethiopia) and Adàn Vallecillo (Honduras) harnessed the power of their art to decorate the cups, thereby creating four works of art interpreting the theme of Expo Milano 2015: Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.

illy has also chosen the Triennale DesignCafé to tell the story behind its packaging. A fascinating journey through the past eighty years of technology and design brings us bang up to date with the very latest from the Trieste-based company: Refilly, the innovative refill for the classic 250 g illy blend can, which has become an a timeless icon in the homes of all coffee lovers. The refill fits perfectly into the illy can which can then be closed with the original lid to retain the coffee’s quality and freshness. Protected by two proprietary patents, Refilly represents a major step forward in innovation as it is the only polylaminate capable of maintaining the pressurisation used by illy to preserve the product and its aromas. And after use Refilly can be disposed of and recycled together with plastic waste.

In the words of Andrea Illy, Chairman and CEO of illycaffè, “At Expo Milano 2015 coffee will be the star attraction of the grandest celebration in history. illy is organising the events and content for the Coffee Cluster, a pavilion entirely dedicated to everything about coffee from bean to cup. Thanks to our work with the Triennale, in the months leading up to this universal event we will be previewing the themes that we plan to present in the Coffee Cluster: from sustainability to art and coffee-producing countries to how we drink coffee.”

“This exhibition strengthens the bond between the Triennale di Milano and Illy and continues the Foundation’s tradition of always conversing and working with businesses for the good of culture and art. Once again the standard of this project is truly outstanding.” said Claudio De Albertis, President of the Triennale di Milano.


Where: Triennale di Milano – in the illyartlab and the Triennale Design Café.
When: 11th June to 6th July 2014; during Triennale di Milano opening hours.
Opening: 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 11th June – invitation only.


Based in Trieste, Italy, illycaffè produces and markets a unique blend of espresso coffee and is the leading quality coffee brand. Over 6 million cups of illy espresso coffee are enjoyed every day. illy is sold in over 140 countries around the world and is available in more than 100,000 of the best restaurants and coffee bars. espressamente illy, the chain of franchised Italian-style coffee bars, is now present in more than 30 countries and comprises 230 outlets. With the aim of spreading the coffee culture, illy has founded the Università del Caffè, the centre of excellence offering theoretical and practical training on every aspect of coffee for coffee growers, coffee shop staff and enthusiasts. As the official partner of Expo Milano 2015 illycaffè is responsible for creating and managing all coffee-related content, exhibitions and events in the Coffee Cluster’s communal area. On a global level illycaffè employs about 1,050 people and produced a consolidated turnover of €374 million in 2013.

illy buys green coffee directly from the growers of the highest quality Arabica through partnerships based on the mutual creation of value. The Trieste-based company fosters long-term collaborations with the world’s best coffee growers – in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa – providing know-how and technology and offering above-market prices.


For more information, please contact:
www.illy.com
illycaffè – Anna Adriani/Christine Pascolo,Tel. 040/389.0111 – Fax 040/389.0490
illy Press Office – Connexia
Valentina Calaminici: valentina.calaminici@connexia.com
Nadia Taddei: nadia.taddei@connexia.com
Ilaria Montalti: ilaria.montalti@connexia.com