illy sponsor of the 55th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia

Trieste, May 29, 2013 – After the International Art Exhibitions of 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011, illy renews this year as well its collaboration with la Biennale di Venezia on the occasion of the 55th International Art Exhibition, curated by Massimiliano Gioni and titled Il Palazzo Enciclopedico (The Encyclopedic Palace).

According to illy’s vision, coffee is a chance for meeting, talking and stimulating our minds. It’s an exclusive moment to enjoy a break and relax. In order to pursue this ideal, illy has been actively giving its contribution for twenty years to spreading and experiencing contemporary art, by supporting artists, exhibitions, and international events, and by creating new cultural happenings.

illy Art Collection – the artist coffee cups that illy makes since 1992 – are one of the clearest examples of the special connection existing between illycaffè and the modern-day creativity. Many of the most famous representatives of the international art panorama and many emerging artists have made of coffee cup, this simple object of everyday’s use, re-invented by the architect and designer Matteo Thun, a cult must-have. Among the great maestros who have given their contribution to this project there are Michelangelo Pistoletto, Marina Abramovich, Jeff Koons, James Rosenquist, Julian Schnabel, and Anish Kapoor.

On the occasion of the 55th International Art Exhibition, illy has decided to mark its presence by stressing how important is the culture of coffee. The Milanese EXPO 2015 is only two years away, and illy – that has been chosen by the Organizing Committee as curator of the Coffee Cluster, the theme pavilion dedicated to coffee – is therefore creating an ideal bridge between the Venetian exhibition and the world expo by making of coffee the official drink of the artistic notion.

illy coffee will be available in all bars at the Arsenale and the Giardini. Besides, at the Giardini, during the Vernissage all visitors will have a chance to experience once again one of the major steps made by illy in the contemporary art world in recent years. The company’s famous logo designed by James Rosenquist will be at the center of the tasting experience offered by illy.

On this occasion the first 2013 edition of illywords will be presented: the magazine is a tool suitable to talking and exchanging ideas and experiences. This magazine allows the company to have a constant dialogue with the worlds of art and culture. Each issue deals with a different subject, and writers, artists, designers and entrepreneurs make a contribution with their opinions and their experiences. The subject of the current issue will be Coffeetelling: in other words how the relation with coffee is lived and told by authors according to their points of view on the world and their sensitiveness. Graphic work and images are exclusive creations of international schools of design. The students of Fondazione Marangoni of Florence have contributed to this issue. www.illywords.com is also a blog since 2010.

For the fourth time in a row, illy confirms its full support to IILA (Italian-Latin American Institute), the international body which will organize the Latin-American Pavilion at the 55th International Art Exhibition - la Biennale di Venezia.
This collaboration started within the illy SustainArt project, addressed to the artists of emerging and developing countries. illysustainArt.org.


Based in Trieste, Italy, illycaffè produces and markets a unique blend of espresso coffee under a single brand leader in quality. 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 shops staff and enthusiasts. On a global level illycaffè employs about 800 people and has a consolidated turnover of €342 million. (2011 results).

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, Africa and China - providing know-how and technology and offering above-market prices.


For more information:
Anna Adriani/Christine Pascolo, illycaffè, Ph. +39 040/3890111