Fondazione Pradacollaborates with Fondo Ambiente Italiano on restoration projects in Italy. Cassidy Hazelbaker reports.

In honor of the new Prada store opening in Bari, Fondazione Prada will team up with Fondo Ambiente Italiano to complete two restoration works on heritage pieces in Italy. The first is to restore a well in the abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate that is located near Lecce in Southern Italy. The abbey was built in the 12th century while the well found in its courtyard opposite the cloister was constructed during the late

16th century. The well’s outdoor location and subsequent exposure to the elements throughout the centuries has led to structural fractures and the erosion of the decorative sculpting. The abbey was run by the Byzantine Basilian monks and was one of the principal religious centers in Southern Italy at the time. The property was later given to the Hospital of the Incurables in Naples, where the surrounding land was used in the production of olive oil while the abbey was abandoned.

The second project is the restoration of a 15^th century polyptych by Antonio Vivarini, one of the most well-known Venetian artists. The polyptych was comprised of 10 panels, of which five remain. Depicted on these panels are Christ in Lamentation, Saint Louis of Toulouse, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint John and Saint Anthony. The painting style reflects a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance characteristics, with widespread use of gold in the backgrounds. The oxidized paints that were used originally have diminished with time. The surface of the works will be cleaned and the colors restored to their original splendor, while missing pieces will be filled in using a micro integration process.

The well’s restoration is expected to finish in 2014, with the opening to the public taking place in 2015, while the polyptych restoration is ongoing and should be completed by December, informs Alessandra Varisco, Director of Marketing for the Fondo Ambiente Italiano. “Having a high-profile brand as a sponsor definitely helps in communication and in raising awareness,” Varisco says. “We had much attention from the public after the collaboration announcement.”

The Fondo Ambiente Italiano, known in English as the Italian National Trust, was founded in 1975 to promote respect and appreciation for Italy’s heritage, art, history and traditions. Headquartered in Milan, the organization seeks to raise awareness of cultural assets among all ages, and leads restoration

and conservation projects of places and objects that are subsequently shared with the public.

Responding to appeals from local communities, the organization refers cases to government

institutions. The Fondo additionally raises funds to sustain its projects as well as to maximize participation from the public.

Fondazione Prada was founded in 1993 by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli as PradaMilanoArte, an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary sculpture. In 1995, the organization was transformed to Fondazione Prada, widening the areas of focus to art, photography, cinema, design, and architecture.

Concentrating less on presenting exhibitions, the foundation centered on the production of site-specific

projects of innovative and imaginative artists. The foundation has since expanded its portfolio to include urban projects and culture

The collaboration between such a high-profile brand and the Fondo Ambiente complements the prestigious house’s design aesthetic and reflects the brand’s recognition of its proud heritage, which should be promoted to future generations. In the boardroom as on the catwalk, Prada leads by example once again for a winning combination.