Talk 3

Cosimo Balestri is a co-founder of ECÒL, an architecture office and research platform based in Italy. The studio develops unconventional strategies and aesthetics as a way to address contemporary issues and needs. Its work is the result of the observation and study of each project’s specific context. Their team is led by the desire to create exciting and interactive domains of expression. The studio team believes in a generous approach to design, which translates into the will to maximize all project’s intrinsic potential, regardless of budget. They are constantly fascinated by culture and people, always looking for a new iconography rich of symbolism and meaning. They use geometry as a tool to intuitively address human reactions and trigger spontaneous social engagement. Ecòl’s work extends from International competitions to public space interventions at the smaller scale. In 2017 and 2018 the team has been awarded for projects on public space in Italy and Europe. 

Ilse Weisfelt is a Dutch illustrator, who loves to take her work out for a walk to meet different canvases! Her imagination lives on media that vary from large murals to magazines and wooden toys. Her artworks are colourful and cartoonesque, where people and animals become protagonists of the irreverent scenes, resulting in clear illustrations with a feelgood vibe. Ilse Weisfelt was selected for an artistic residency promoted by Print Club Torino and Blind Walls Gallery of Breda (NL), supported by the General Consulate of the Netherlands in Milan. She will have an opportunity to get inspired by the city of Turin and develop a personal project using the traditional printing techniques that she can experiment with in the spaces of the laboratory for a period of three weeks. Ilse’s final project will be presented during the last weekend of the Graphic Days® Transitions festival.

Traffic Design was created in 2011 out of love for urban elements and art in public space. They lead projects devoted to aesthetics, art, education, social change and corporate cultural responsibility. They are a collective of artists, graphic designers, cultural animators, sociologists and marketing specialists. They work with cities, brands, institutions and individuals, whoever strives to fill places with art and humanity. You can find them in Gdynia, Poland (where they are busy working on their public art biennale), as well as other Polish cities and abroad.