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The Cultivist x illycaffè: Obama’s art advisor on How to Build an Art House
By Tempus | 3 October 2023 | Culture, Design, Lifestyle
As contemporary art fair Frieze London comes to town, we take a look at sponsor illycaffe’s events series, in collaboration with The Cultivist
Leading contemporary art fair Frieze London is always awash with fascinating exhibitions and events, and this year is no different. The one to catch our eye? A talk with Joey Lico, former director at the New York Foundation for the Arts, art advisor to the White House under the Obama administration, and now Executive Director of The Cultivist.
In Art for Thought, a partnership between The Cultivist and Frieze sponsor illycaffè, Joey will share her expertise with a talk How to Build an Art House on 9th October. Hosted at Green Michelin Starred restaurant, Apricity, the evening will be accompanied by canapes and coffee cocktails, such as the illy Espresso Martini and Negroni, and non-alcoholic Cold Brew & Lemon Tonics.
Bringing together two brands known for championing the art world, of the collaboration Joey explains: “We are genuinely thrilled to embark on this journey of exploration and dialogue with a company that shares our unwavering commitment to the transformative power of art. The illy Art Collection’s dedication to fostering innovation, creativity, and cultural exchange mirrors our own mission at The Cultivist.”
Stuart Holmes, Managing Director of illycaffè, elaborates that: “Family-owned illycaffè has long championed the world’s most exciting contemporary artists through its influential illy Art Collection project.”
The Art Collection has seen 126 contemporary artists – from Ai Wei Wei to Jeff Koons – re-imagine illycaffè’s classic Matteo Thun designed espresso cup. The blank canvas has been used to illustrate a range of topical themes, bringing together coffee culture and art to encourage conversation. For 2023, illycaffè will unveil a new addition during Frieze London – the 127th espresso cup in the collection, adorned by an as-yet-undisclosed contemporary artist.
The Art for Thought series will also see Dr Madeline Haddon, curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum East, take guests on a journey of Art Through the Ages over coffee cocktails and canapes at Apricity, on 23rd October.