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Milan celebrates the modernity
of Copper
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Articles about Italy)
Brussels, 8 November 2005
From November 11 to 20, the prestigious Triennale of Milan will
host seven talented European designers exhibiting their work
on the theme ?Kitchen and Bathroom designs?, in the third exhibition
of Abitare con Il Rame - Living with Copper. Copper?s combined
aesthetic and antibacterial properties are creatively exploited
in everyday objects with a resolutely contemporary design.
Kitchen Designs Reinterpreting Copper
The Italian designer Riccardo Giovanetti decided to take advantage
of copper?s heat conducting properties. He came up with a small
spoon designed to slightly cool tea or coffee. The Italian designer
also presents a modern alternative to the traditional tea ball
with a hollow copper tea infuser that is designed to diffuse
the herbal tea quickly. He also presents a striking dish warmer
with a perforated copper tray to ensure that the heat is distributed
evenly and efficiently.
The French designer Didier Leconte looked at recasting traditional
cooking utensils in copper and presents a series of accessories
with a resolutely modern style. Frying pans, saucepans and kettles
all benefit greatly from copper?s intrinsic properties: heat
conduction
and corrosion resistance. Recent studies on copper?s antibacterial
properties by various microbiological research centres have
confirmed the positive role of copper in preventing the proliferation
of staphylococcus, Listeria, E. coli 0157 and Legionella (references
available upon request).
Copper in the Bathroom
These antibacterial properties combined with copper?s malleability
and extensive corrosion resistance have long made copper a material
of choice in the bathroom. For the Danish designer Randy Kristen,
copper isn?t only for plumbing: for example, it is used to fashion
an
outside shower with flowing shapes, shimmering colours and water
spouts at three different heights. It can also be seen in humidifiers,
towel holders and radiators.
Subtle and Varied Tones
The warmth of the palette of copper?s subtle tones is visible
for all: the pink salmon of the natural metal, the reddish brown
resulting from surface oxidation, much sought after for decorative
purposes, or the very luminous yellow of brass (zinc and copper
alloy). Some designers have even used copper with a grey finish,
such as the Austrian designer Nada Nasrallah who presents a
combination salt cellar and pepper holder.
Ecological Design: Copper?s recycling benefit Copper?s modernity
can also be seen in its exceptional recycling properties. Ever
more conscious of the environment, designers have the benefit
with copper of using a material that is 100% recyclable, without
any loss of properties or performance. Copper can thus be used,
recycled and reused indefinitely. In Europe, 41% of the annual
copper usage, over 2 million tonnes, comes from recycling (Source:
International Copper Study Group).
The Exhibition Organiser
This is the third ?Abitare con il Rame? exhibition, organised
annually by the Istituto Italiano del Rame (Italian Copper Institute),
a member of the European Copper Institute. The European Copper
Institute is a joint venture between the world?s mining companies
(represented by the International Copper Association, Ltd.)
and the European fabricating industry. Its mission is to promote
copper?s benefits across Europe through its Brussels office
and its eleven Copper Development Centres. More on www.eurocopper.org
Further information:
European Copper Institute
Christian de BARRIN
Communications Manager
Tel: + 32 2 777 70 82- GSM: 0476 30 99 60
cdb@eurocopper.org
Press contact:
Ogilvy Public Relations
Evelyn GESSLER
Tel: +32 2 545 65 42 ? GSM: 0475 23 53 92
evelyn.gessler@ogilvy.be
http://www.eurocopper.org
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