FLASHNEWS N. 8		JULY 2008
		Quality, assortment, and amateur prices: all this can only be found at “La Piazza dei Mercanti”
				The exhibition shall be coupled with theme initiatives and special events focusing on different sectors
				Much more than an exhibition: special theme initiatives, meetings, occasions for analysis and exchange of ideas, focus on the different sectors that are at the heart of La Piazza dei Mercanti, i.e. antiques, modernism, collectibles, and brocantage. The organizing machines is tirelessly moving forward in order to meet the expectations of operators and collectors who are looking forward to visiting one of the most important exhibitions in this field, an exclusive one because it is the only event of this kind in the Milan’s exhibition schedule.
		In September, we shall provide you with updates on the event calendar which is now being finalized. As an alternative, you can visit www.lapiazzadeimercanti.fieramilanoexpocts.it You will find out that all you are looking for is in Pavilion 3 at fieramilanocity, in the refurbished Portello fairgrounds. CLICK HERE to participate!
		CAUTION!!! (FLASH) Be advised that advertising subscription forms are being circulated which may look like dossiers linked to the official documentation of LA PIAZZA DEI MERCANTI. Before subscribing or signing such forms for acceptance, please check the origin and reliability of such offers!
		The media campaign is taking the exhibition throughout Europe A communication project reaching out also to the main foreign Country has been planned
		An accurate communication activity involving Milan and the surrounding metropolitan area, with billboards and messages published on the general and specialized press and messages aired by the key radio stations, customized invitations to personalities who best represent the core sectors featured at La Piazza dei Mercanti, a media campaign that has been planned also thanks to the cooperation and synergy with the most important foreign papers. A further significant effort made by the organizers in order to extend the catchment basin and bring to Milan amateurs and operators also from abroad.
		Orissa: a traveling collection of Colonial-style and ethnic furniture Everything is selected and purchased personally by the owners
				“Orissa (owned by Leonardo Cecca) imports furniture and decorative objects directly from India and South-Eastern Asia – says Lola Sivieri. It has been present on and well appreciated by the market for several years now, and mainly deals with furniture dating back to 1900 through 1950. Recently, this activity has been complemented with new furniture manufactured mainly for NATIVE, a point of sale located along Alzaia Naviglio Grande”. Have you ever participated in La Piazza dei Mercanti? “We have since the first edition and quite successfully too. We have immediately supported this initiative because we think that the public – and not just from Milan – perfectly identifies with this location as it is seen as one of the most prestigious and reliable.”
		What is the target of Orissa? “Our target is a very broad public, in general people who love beauty and functionality in furniture, but also professionals of the sector who can perfectly fit a vintage piece even in settings decorated with high-end design furniture.” Can you anticipate some of the items that you are going to present at the exhibition? “Our goods turnover is quite quick, so we can only say what we would like to do. We are planning to bring, as we did in the past editions, furniture for daily use (cupboards, desks, bookshelves) and some rare pieces for connoisseurs, like old Bandhara’s (old, usually very colorful cupboards). For sure, we shall bring also some curiosities or tribal objects.” Orissa also participated in the opening ceremony at Villa Necchi with a setting that drew inspiration from India. Such Villa was restored by FAI (the Italian Environmental Fund) and is a newly rediscovered jewel in the center of Milan. For further information visit www.orissa.it
		Makers: for operators and collectors, but trendy at the same time From a search for antiques to restoration of industrial material
				“Makers was created towards the end of the 1980’s – says Ernesto Marazzi - with the explicit goal of offering the Italian market our selection of antiques and art objects that we have found during our trips throughout Europe and in the Americas. Towards the end of the 1990's, it has become more and more imperative to differentiate the offer on the market, which had become a bit static. So we started a trip aimed at retrieving material of industrial origin.
		Old factories, laboratories and offices then became our sources of procurement, to which we combined our special “creative added value,” which turned us into the leaders of this market niche, which is now extremely trendy.” “We have been participating in this Milanese exhibition since the very beginning as we were among the first subscribers, having well understood that it could fill a gap in the scenario of similar events. Our reference target obviously includes operators of this field who are very much into image trends, as well as individual private buyers.”
		Franco Loranti: the charm of decorative wall painting The artist restored frescos and tempera paintings that otherwise would have been destroyed
				A restorer of canvas and wall paintings, Franco Lorandi saved frescos and tempera paintings that otherwise would have been destroyed, to bring them back to their original beauty on new walls or ceilings. “In my life – explains the artist – I also teach restoration techniques.” “I participated in many different exhibitions of handicraft and antiques and I have noted that, both in good or bad economic cycles, Milan is always a prestigious market. That’s why I decided to participate again in La Piazza dei Mercanti, which I also attended in the past two editions.” What is your reference target? “Customers who are interested in restored frescos are architects and individuals who appreciate the charm of decorative wall painting. As a matter of fact, I shall exhibit some excerpts of wall paintings at my stand.”