Page 54 - Designing Ways 262

SHAPES

Mirror of wonders - Fabio Mazzeo Architects
Styling Alessandro Pasinelli Studio
Photo credit: Bianca Puleo

The Mirror of Wonders by

Fabio Mazzeo Architects

Roma, Italy

n the vast entryway of the 17th- In the large 60 square metre hall, empty
century villa at 167 Via Giulia, a space prevails over solidity. The hand-
Istriking new reflective installation decorated walls depict a forest of Roman
makes an impression on guests and pine trees painted white on a silver leaf
visitors. base, like a kind of virtual winter garden.
The effect is magnetic and almost We wanted to avoid overabundance
unnerving. It is a mirror of wonders, and excess. That led to the idea of an
something out of Lewis Carroll’s famous installation that is neither authoritarian Fabio Mazzeo
and dreamlike novel, that guides you into nor imposing, but rather a modern piece Photo credit: Bianca Puleo
an eccentric and visually stunning “other” that can find a harmonious balance with
world. Just like Alice’s trip down the rabbit its historic surroundings. It was designed
hole, it makes you suddenly believe in the and built to create a dialogue with the Mirror of wonders -
impossible. interior and to orient the gaze in space, Fabio Mazzeo Architects (detail)
The large, mirrored wall surface, four rather than capture it,” says Fabio Mazzeo, Styling Alessandro Pasinelli Studio
and a half metres wide by four metres high, art director of Fabio Mazzeo Architects. Photo credit: Bianca Puleo
is broken down into several sections, all of The installation faces and returns
which move under their own power. The the image of another precious mirror
structure catalyses the many angles and from the Renaissance period: a mutually
perspectives of the space in an interplay respectful stylistic coexistence between
of constant reflections, re-situating two works of art created 500 years apart.
unexpected fragments of the scene in a Another prominent piece in the room,
kaleidoscopic, shimmering image. and part of the changing reflections, is
“As in all our projects, we worked with an imposing sculpture table designed by
a tailor’s approach, starting from the Fabio Mazzeo Architects.
specifics of the setting to create a piece Aesthetic and functional at the same
that could bring out the unique character time, the installation is integrated with
of a space with such a strong identity. a monitor that uses mirror screen

54 Issue 262 • dw