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P.S.1 Newspaper

2007 Summer

Venice Biennial Special: Malo

A promotional image from the Malo catalogue.

Malo, the innovative Italian fashion house, is the chief sponsor of P.S.1’s Art Radio Venice Live broadcast project for the 52nd Biennial in 2007. Here is a piece of their history.

Malo declares that art is close to its soul. Known as the market leader of cashmere and luxury prêt-à-porte, Malo cannily mixes tradition with innovation, research with creation, and technology with craftsmanship and has, for many years, aimed at creating clothes unique for their rigorous detail. It is a brand that bases its success on the exclusiveness of its products in an effort to affirm artistic and creative, as well as com­mercial, value.

Malo’s first initiative was the debut of its new boutique in Milan’s Via della Spiga, which houses, alongside the prêt-à-porter and knitwear creations, the works of stellar con­temporary artists including Balla, Esposito, Jones, Matta, Nevelson, and Schnabel.

During the 52nd Venice Biennial, Art Radio WPS1.org will broadcast live from its float­ing platform—an entertainment center and radio station on the water—elegantly decked out in Malo’s style. Fashion and art will unite to provide Venice and the world with a unique perspective on one of the most important cultural events of the year.

In this recent interview, P.S.1 Director of Operations Antoine Guerrero talks about the challenge and adventure of broadcasting from a boat on the Venetian waterways during the 2005 Venice Biennial and looks forward to repeating the effort for 2007.

"When talking about Art Radio WPS1.org in Venice, we have to remember that we’re broadcasting from a barge. The owner of the barge bought it so that he would be able to get close to this annual important boat race that is held there. It’s amazing—he took this big metal vessel and transformed it, and really, it feels like a backyard terrace like you would find on Lido.

"Gilberto and Maria Rosa Sandretto, our board members who wanted to get involved in the broadcast project, knew the owner and went to speak with him. Last time was such a success that Gilberto arranged to have the barge again this year. It’s going to undergo another incredible transformation. Like Bloomberg in 2005, our main sponsor, Malo and Perna Foundation will change it into a sort of palazzo with flowing fabric over the windows and lounge chairs, creating a really beautiful setting for hosting radio shows and party receptions.

"At the Biennial in 2005, the public was super enthusiastic and almost shocked by how great the barge looked. In Venice there aren’t so many places you can relax near the Pavil­ions so it became a regular stop for people on their way to and from the Biennial—we had wireless Internet access so people could work, eat biscotti, and sip an espresso.

"We also distributed mini-radios with the WPS1 signal so you could listen to the transmissions on FM radio in Venice. Ini­tially we only gave radios away from the barge, but then we realized that the Vene­tian public should also have access to the broadcasts. So we bought three wheelbar­rows and went out on expeditions all over Venice, leaving them in bars and handing them out in squares. For 2007 we will do that again.

"This year we’re located right in front of the Giardini gates and I think this is a very good thing. For sure we’re going to be busier than we were last time, but it really confirms how alive and present WPS1 is. This is the second time we’re present at the Venice Biennial so now it is sure that WPS1 is an institution. Can’t wait to be there, but we’ll be very, very busy."