Untitled - Eldorado

© 2014 by ELDORADO S.a.s.
Via del Capriolo 49 R
16144 Genova
Italy
www.eldoradosas.it
Ph: (+39) 010 821769
mail@eldoradosas.it
The initial project with Chanel dates back to 2003. The making of a prototype, however,
did not start until 2005 – thus marking the beginning of Eldorado’s cooperation with
Chanel. Such a long time frame has mirrored the project’s complexity: the need to combine handmade products that require extremely sophisticated craftsmanship together with
cutting-edge technologies proved to be a considerable challenge.
The fact that the very first project has remained unchanged throughout its production, is
for our company a great source of pride. Due to the cooperation between Chanel’s creative artits and Eldorado’s manufacturing team, truly extraordinary accomplishments have
been achieved.
I
To complete this project, specially made acrylic calibrated rods manufactured
to the most precise measurements were inserted into laser-cut holes which
fitted perfectly, without using any kind of adhesive. Needless to say, only
the highest degree of accuracy made this possible.
The three-dimensional effect of the heart-shaped projection, was then enhanced by the optical conductivity properties of acrylic glass – which, in
its behaviour, is very similar to optical
fibres.
The use of opaque black acrylic glass
for the external box – which is drilled
into surface at the front, regardless of where the rods are inserted
– meant it was possible to block the
back light and release it either through
the heart-shaped rods or through the
whole front part, depending on the
observer’s position.
To complete the work to the client’s
satisfaction, we then inserted colourful filters between the front and the
lighting system to make every heart a
differevnt colour.
Acrylic embedment. Embed, insert, enclose, include, plunge,
or pour. Plenty of terms can describe one of the most delicate and laborious processes in the field of methacrylate:
that of acrylic pouring. The problems involved in this process are such that every single work can be considered as
the result of a series of trial and error. The compatibility
of the raw materials, the temperatures reached during the
polymerization process (above 200°C), the differences in
thermal expansion coefficients for the various materials, and
the thermodynamic properties of the adjacent surfaces, are
all factors resulting in the need for a highly painstaking and
complex procedure.
These tailor-made acrylic blocks – 50-millimeters thick,
embedded with spheres made of steel and black glass –
created for Chanel, are just as complex. Nevertheless, our
experience enabled us to successfully complete the project.
The unparalleled acrylic glass transparency coefficient,
(light transmittance: 92%) has created a uniquely floating
effect.
The production of crystals in the finest
shapes, with a mix of shiny or satin finish
and unusual colours, have made Lalique a
legendary name.
The Poissons collection – launched during
the Nineties yet still very much in demand
– made of colourful crystal, depicts a tiny
tropical fish and is available in as many
as 28 different colours – all of which are
transparent except, obviously, the black
one.
The 10mm-thick acrylic glass cases produced by Eldorado for Lalique, together
with the round rod supports at different
heights, have created an ideal aquarium for
the Poissons collection.
Acrylic glass transparency adds a magic
touch, and the final effect appears similar
to a school of fish in water. And if you
think the 24-fish aquarium is fascinating,
the 100-fish version, 1-metre long, is truly
impressive!
II
Eldorado’s cooperation with the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva started back in 1999,
when Eldorado created a set of trays made of acrylic glass with white linen embedded
and with the hotel’s logo on the shaped handles. Since then, the array of items produced
for the Hotel has been both the finest and the most original, ranging from giant fish,
arbre magiques hanging down in front of the windows in the rooms at Christmas, the
totem placed at the Spice’s restaurant entrance (a 230 kilo acrylic block with the logo
engraved), or the ice-effect acrylic pool furniture.
III
The undisputed prestige of the Hotel is apparent
upon entering the building. The Hotel has several
themed restaurants, spa resorts, luxurious rooms
and suites, and of course the marvellous swim-
ming pool overlooking Lake Geneva. The context
being, the attention to detail and the quality required by the Hotel’s design team are undoubtedly
of the highest standard. The materials testing and
the innovative manufacturing needed to create the
products required have therefore always prioritised
our work with the Hotel President Wilson.
Ferrari. Simply a legend. Surely one of the most famous and loved brands in
the world, evoking passion and a whirlwind of emotions that is impossible
to define. The immense satisfaction and, we dare to say
the honour of being asked by Ferrari to create acrylic
sculptures to be used at various Grand Prix as well
as for Ferrari memorabilia, is also indescribable.
Throughout the prototype design phase, so many
solutions were devised that they gave birth to
two lines of production: the first embeds small
items into acrylic glass, with a red filter and
the screen-printed logo on an inclined plane
to enhance the object’s three-dimensionality.
The second, even more refined, is composed
of two acrylic blocks, one of which has a
hollowed-out shape – cut by means of numerical control machines – of a connecting
rod or a piston inside, and subsequently mirrorpolished with mastery. The two blocks are held together by magnets, so allowing the collector to pull out the
original engine part and thus enjoy the feel as well as the look. The
reverse is completed with a transparent red underside and the screen-
IV
printed Ferrari logo.
The attention to detail
by Eldorado throughout all of the project’s
phases guaranteed a
product of uncompromising quality.
Founded by gallerist and publisher Carla Sozzani in 1991 in Milan. For the last
two decades 10 Corso Como has repeated its successful formula in a number of
Asian cities, with 2 facilities in Seoul, one in Tokyo and the latest which opened
in 2013, in Shanghai. All the stores in the Asian metropolis have the same
atmosphere and image of the original concept store in Milan – which originally began with an art gallery and a bookstore, and
now includes a design and fashion store, a
café, a small hotel and the renowned
rooftop garden.
After Milan, Tokyo and the first
store which opened in the urban area of Cheongdam-dong
in 2008, in March 2012, 10
Corso Como opened its second location in Seoul – Avenue
L – in partnership with Samsung
Fashion.
As is our custom when opening or after the renovation of 10 Corso Como stores,
Eldorado manufactured and set up acrylic furniture,
tables and display cabinets which were created by the
American artist, Kris Ruhs. The ‘Wave’ showcases, the
‘Pyramid’ and ‘Cake’ displays, the floor lamps and the
‘Hexagons’ (see next page) are the best possible match
between the innovative projects by Ruhs and the intrinsic limits of acrylic glass
creations.
V
VI
As can be seen in the images below, the use of the Ligne écologique trays
for advertising purposes has always been impressive. Of course, the greater
the harmony between the elements included and the natural environment, the
smoother the final effect – see Moet & Chandon and Tanqueray. But after
having produced a tray with miniature bricks embedded in it for a building
company, nothing is impossible for the Ligne écologique anymore!
Sequined, painted, wrapped in a ball of wool or covered in a glowing layer of material.
Eighty baby elephants conceived and designed by the artists and designers involved
in the ‘Elephant Parade’, a charity event committed to raising funds and saving the
endangered Asian elephant, which took place in Milan and other major Italian cities,
between September and November 2011.
As soon as the event was over, all the artworks were auctioned. ‘When it was carried away from my studio, I was so sad – said
Andrea Rovatti, a graphic designer, who
had covered his elephant in eight kilometres of colourful wool, and exhibited his Wrapping an Elephant
in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Our
baby elephant had spent two
months with us and we’d grown
fond of him… we named him Tatino’.
With a yellow trunk, blue and green
feet, red and fuchsia head: the use of
wool conveys the concept of protection. ‘Obviously, elephants are in no need of protection against the cold: it’s just that covering
a living being brings this protective idea to mind, and this is the concept I wished to
express by the use of a wool covering’.
After obtaining the artwork at the auction, Fondazione Bracco asked Eldorado to
further protect Tatino and give him a house to live in, which would not prevent visitors
being able to observe him closely.
VII
At the turn of the Millennium, Pratesi tasked Eldorado with the design and manufacture of home
accessories made of acrylic glass with elegant fabrics embedded. Ever since the Sixties, Pratesi
fabrics have been the most famous and loved by Italian families and later by the American market
and global jet setters: over a century of history of a family that has left an indelible mark in the field
of high-quality home linens. Agnelli, Caproni, Visconti, d’Annunzio, Gonzaga, as well as Andy Warhol
and Liz Taylor, are some of the names that have been associated with this great company’s history.
Pratesi linen patterns, variety and beauty of colours – some of which have become so famous as to
have been reproduced all over the world – grow in brightness and are ‘fixed’ within the acrylic glass
during the polymerization process that precedes the actual manufacturing.
Our pride in still producing these accessories today is equal to the importance of the Pratesi name
all over the world.
VIII
Eldorado’s cooperation with Victory, a
leading company in manufacturing sports
awards, opened the door to the making
of many unique trophies such as the diploma of honour awarded to Italian athletes who won Olympic medals in 2008
awarded by CONI (the Italian National
Olympic Committee), the certifications
for RINA (Registro Navale Italiano), and
trophies for CIV (Campionato Italiano
Velocità). A special mention also goes to
the awards produced each season to the
winner of the World Superbike Championship (also known as SBK) from 2007
to 2010.
The techniques used to manufacture
these kinds of products range from the
use of high thickness blocks, to threedimensional modelling tools, laser cutting, customisation through serigraphy or
pre-spaced lettering, or coloured filters
inserted into transparent acrylic glass.
Our victory was seeing our products
being raised to the sky on many of the
world’s most famous podiums.
IX
The 2013 reproduction of the Royal Caribbean logo
in many examples
shows Eldorado’s
ability to mix numerical control operations with traditionally handcrafted elements, such as
surface polishing.
Adding an engraved and sandblasted
line as a division between the crown
and the anchor, enabled our craftsmen to use just one single block for
the whole logo.
X
Eldorado produced 9 life-size sculptures for the
outfitting of one room of the Museum of Delicatessen opened last year in Castelnuovo Rangone
(Modena).
The acrylic glass sculptures highlighted the art of
hand tying, a procedure that is usually only carried
out on high-quality delicatessen meats.
Our material’s flexibility, together with the accuracy of reproduction, resulted in a precise, shiny and
pleasant representation of our clients’ products.
XI
Text
Eldorado
Translation
Carole Stansfeld
Project Coordination
Roberta Buscaglia
Graphic Design and Art Direction
Roberta Buscaglia
Printed in Italy
by Gutenberg Servizi
Cover: Eldorado Creations
Photo by Eldorado
The publisher can be contacted by
entitled parties for any iconographic
sources that have not been identified.
© 2014 by ELDORADO S.a.s.
www.eldoradosas.it