by InTrieste
The illustrious paths of Barcolana 56, presented by Generali, and renowned designer Stefan Sagmeister intersected this year through the vision of illycaffè. For the 2024 edition, illycaffè has once again chosen to support Barcolana, celebrating it with an artist-designed poster. Following a prestigious line of previous collaborators such as Michelangelo Pistoletto and Marina Abramović, the acclaimed designer Stefan Sagmeister takes the helm for this year’s visual representation.
Barcolana, the iconic sailing event, scheduled for October 13, 2024, in the Gulf of Trieste, will feature a poster that epitomizes the event’s theme, “Positive Energies.” Sagmeister, known for his distinctive approach to visual storytelling, was selected for his ability to encapsulate complex concepts through innovative design.
A Fusion of History and Innovation
The poster melds the contemporary with the classical, combining an infographic with an antique oil painting of a woman. Sagmeister’s design includes sails in various colors and sizes, symbolizing the evolution of participation in Barcolana over the past 54 years. The female figure serves as a tribute to the growing role of women in sailing, transitioning from mere spectators to significant competitors, highlighted by Barcolana’s “Women in Sailing” initiative, supported by Generali.
A Legacy of Positive Visualization
Sagmeister’s inspiration stems from his “Beautiful Numbers” exhibition at the Thomas Erben Gallery in New York during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The exhibition, which focused on long-term positive developments in society, featured infographics overlaid on historic paintings, illustrating societal progress over decades and centuries. This artistic journey evolved into the “Long Term Thinking” project, culminating in 2023 with the installation “Now is Better,” which continued this narrative.
“Barcolana represents the positive progress that aligns perfectly with my artistic vision,” Sagmeister remarked. “I wanted to merge significant historical data from the regatta with an eclectic medium like an old oil painting, creating a bridge between past and present that tells a story of development over time.”
Art and Optimism in Symbiosis
Mitja Gialuz, president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, praised the synergy between Sagmeister’s work and Barcolana’s ethos. “This year’s concept of ‘positive energies’ is not about ignoring the negatives around us but rather an invitation to channel thoughts and actions towards an optimistic future. Stefan Sagmeister’s poster is an extraordinary artistic synthesis of the past positive energies that have shaped Barcolana and the future projects requiring new inspirations from participants, the city of Trieste, and our partners.”
Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè, echoed this sentiment. “We proudly renew our support for Barcolana through our connection with the art world. This year, we entrusted the creation of the poster to one of the most acclaimed contemporary artists, Stefan Sagmeister. The result is a work of design: an infographic that tells Barcolana’s story through the development of participant numbers from 1969 to 2023, creating a dialogue between pastel-colored sails and an antique oil painting representing a 19th-century woman dressed for a celebration.”
A Celebration of Progress
As Barcolana 56 approaches, the poster by Sagmeister serves as a poignant reminder of the event’s rich history and the optimistic future it envisions. The regatta, set to commence at 10:30 a.m. on October 13, 2024, will be preceded by a series of events on land and sea starting October 4, promising a celebration not only of sailing but of the enduring spirit of positive progress.
