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In 2009, Plessi began working with Louis
Vuitton to mark the opening of their rooms in
Canton Road, Hong Kong. For this occasion
he created “Luxury is slow”, a series of huge
fusions of gold with brilliant LEDs; “Fusion”,
comprising a series of sculptures and black
stones; and a highly innovative technological
bag with an ultra-slim TV and batteries
with images of liquid gold in constant movement.
This was considered to have been the
first “digital bag” in the world.
His association with Louis Vuitton currently
includes the “Mari Verticali” creation for the
Louis Vuitton Cup (presented to the winner
Mari Verticala in Dubai
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of the America’s Cup challenger series), an
extraordinary work composed of 12 steel
boats “in which the 12 seas of the world are
loudly flowing”. Developed on the Maddalena
island of Sardinia, this work will be
shown in top museums around the world
over the next few years “a journey within the
journey”. It was showcased inside a 40-metre
Louis Vuitton-branded pyramid during the
last leg of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Cup held
in Dubai last November, when Plessi hosted
a workshop on video art organised by Dubai
Culture.
He collaborated on the design of the new
Louis Vuitton boutique in Palma, opened
at the end of 2010; and his “La Llum del
Llaüt” creation, featuring traditional Mallorcan
“llaüt” fishing boats, will be on show at
Palma’s La Lonja, in conjunction with Louis
Vuitton, from 24 June to 2 october – open
until midnight to cater for summer visitors.
During a visit to Mallorca in March (he and
his wife Carla have a stunning home in Es
Llombards – our featured “Property Showcase”
this issue) he spoke exclusively to
Home Couture about his illustrious career
and his passion for art and technology.
FrEEDom oF ExPrESSion
the man
behind the artist
you were one of the first artists to start combining art
and new technologies. How would you define that style?
I would define my style as a kind of “arte povera” contaminated
by technology.
That was in the 1960s and 1970s… how has your style
evolved using the new technologies of the 21st century?
I have always been curious about discoveries in technology,
and it was inevitable that I would follow these
developments.
Water remains a central theme of your work? Why
water?
Living in Venice, the city has become the alibi for my
relationship with water.
Another recurring element is fire. Why two such opposite
and contrary elements – fire and water?
I think water and fire have secret and deep complicities.
your video art has been exhibited in some of the most
important international museums over the past four
decades. Is there any particular exhibition that has a
special place in your heart and memory?
For the historical and cultural impact, my solo exhibition
at the Guggenheim in New York was a fundamental
platform for my career. Another very challenging
moment was the exhibition at the Martin Gopius Bau
in Berlin in 2004, where I had a space of 6,000 square
metres.
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