To me coffee has always been that 2 teaspoon with sugar and milk instant satisfaction. Little did I know that making coffee is as much of an art as what Leonardo Da Vinci's work is! Nescafe was always my thing, satisfying to the taste buds and quick to make. But after the undeniably amazing experience of taste, smell and touch, there was no turning back! But my story today isn’t really about the coffee making experience as it is about the artistic value that it beholds. Francesco Clemente articulates that “When you love something, there’s nothing better than sharing it with others”.

Illy’s stunning art collections are born from the purest desire to share their passion with the world. And passion it truly is! These coffee cups offer only the best creativity of a painter, the loving touch of a sculptor and the dedication of a designer. I was truly blown away at the perfection of these Collector’s cups. As a designer I take everything into account, and make the best of my experiences. Hopefully my imagery will make you desire the experience for yourselves!

It all began in 1992, with the first collection of designer cups entitled “Arts and Crafts”, which combined coffee with the aesthetics of the cup. Since then, illy has established a strong bond with the art world, constantly adding new encounters between the worthy and the beautiful.

While the images created from the encounter between Salgado and illycaffè narrate journeys and in turn travel the world in newspapers and museums. Illy and art continue to work as a bonded pair, rich in emotion that filter through all the senses.

An ancient philosophical concept known as “kalokagathia” teaches us that taste and beauty are inseparable! What is good cannot but be beautiful.

Over 15 years of pursuing the ideal of excellence and ethics in all fields, Illy has been actively involved in promoting contemporary art by sponsoring artists, art institutions and international art exhibitions worldwide.

Illy carries out research projects dedicated to young artists in conjunction with organizations such as PS1 Contemporary Art Center in New York, the Central St. Martin’s College in London and the Fondazione Pistoletto in Rome, as well as with some of the major contemporary art fairs, with which it has started up partnerships for the establishment of the “Illy award for young contemporary art”.

Some of the contemporary artists that Illy collaborates with are Marina Abramovic, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Jannis Kounellis, James Rosenquist, Daniel Buren, Louise Bourgeois, Jeff Koons and Robert Rauschenberg

All of the above fascinated me, but the silver ones in particular. The image on the saucer was mirrored onto the cup, creating its own illuminated design, sophisticated, smart and a whole new diversion.

Via: Illy.co.za

Photography by:Danielle Seegers