What do you get when a global online store and a world-renowned contemporary artist join forces to raise proceeds for the repair of a damaged historic landmark?
If the players in question are Yoox.com and artist Francesco Vezzoli, a limited edition, tear-embellished portrait of the artist signed: Con Amore, Francesco Vezzoli can only make sense. The art, which debuts in time for the holiday season, is being sold exclusively on Yoox.com.
The portraits mark the first time Vezzoli has created serially produced art. A grand total of 399 pieces have been created for the edition, all priced at $399. All proceeds from sales will go directly to the Fondo Ambiente Italia (the Italian National Trust) to aid in their restoration of the Palazzo Comunale of Finale Emilia. Much of Italy’s Emilia Romagna region has been devastated by a recent earthquake which left havoc in its wake.
After recognizing the extent of the destruction, Yoox founder Federico Marchetti, whose company has its home in Bologna, was inspired to act. “I am a huge fan of Francesco Vezzoli,” Marchetti said of the artist. “So I invited him to think about a special project for Emilia and he came up with Con Amore, Francesco Vezzoli.”
Celebrated for his exploration of the pop-culture myth, Vezzoli often uses embroidery and crochet to embellish the portraits of popular figures with tears. While Vezzoli is the subject of this edition, the work, which comes in a baroque-style frame, possesses the same nostalgia as his portraits of yesterday’s stars.
