Message UNWINDAn Outdoor_Indoor Collection by Alessandro Pasinelli Studio
UNWIND
Alberto Levi GalleryBehind the windows of the Alberto Levi Galleryhide three interiors. The most secret one is theware- house. Solomon Levi, Alberto’s father,opened it in 1949. The world tour unites fatherand son in search of fine antique weavingsbetween America, Persia, India, China, Tibet,and Turkey. The second interior is the gallery itself. Sincethe early nineties, Alberto Levi has been aforerunner of minimalist taste. In 1997, heopened the gallery doors, creating a landmarkfor sophisticated taste in textile art. Thegallery is dedicated towards the appreciationof antique and contemporary rugs as works ofart. Situated in the historic centre of Milan, ithas been honoured to contribute to the city’svibrant arts, crafts, and design scene eversince. In the third space, Alberto leaves rugs behindand goes to the vaulted Roman interiors gracingthe gallery’s basement; here, he created atreasure trove, draping the early walls with hiscollection of ancient rugs and textile fragments.The vaulted walls lead to a secret innersanctum: a soundproof room where he plays hisdrums deep into the night in the company of hisjazz musician friends. Alberto Levi Gallery is a leading platform forminimalist aesthetics dedicated to showcasingthe beauty of knots and weaves globally. Thegallery’s mission is to broaden the regional andtemporal landscape of creative innovation whilenurturing its future trajectory. Each presentationexplores the intersection of art, history, anddesign, often in collaborating with visionaryartists and designers who continually push theboundaries of textile art. GALLERY
In creating UNWIND, a collection of outdoor rugs,designer Alessandro Pasinelli draws from theintricate symbolism of winds and the essence ofNorth African design, flawlessly intertwiningthem.Invisible to the naked eye but omnipresent in itsinfluence, the wind has been a silent witness tothe unfolding of civilisations, shaping the veryfabric of human experience with gentlewhispers and tempestuous roars since timeimmemorial.Viewed through the prism of North Africanlandscapes, each rug in the UNWIND collectionencapsulates the enduring interaction betweenwind and earthEmbracing the timeless wisdom of the wind andacknowledging its sacred role on earth,Alessandro Pasinelli’s designs express elementsthat resonate with the region’s natural beautyand atmospheric phenomena—one breath at atime.With an unwavering commitment tosustainability, each rug in this outdoor collectionembodies the preservation ethos, as they areingeniously crafted from recycled materials.COLLABORATIONLEFT TO RIGHT: Nino Bucci, Carola Galliani, Alberto Levi, Anna Levi, Alessandro Pasinelli, Michela Tacchini, Alessandra Vigani
"We do not inherit the earth from ourancestors; we borrow it from our children."Native American Proverb
Alessandro Pasinelli about Interior,Style, and Rugs
What was the first thing you remembercreating? AP Milan, October 2001. I had recently become afashion designer, and the first collection to takeshape was a capsule of deconstructed leatherbags with metal and matte brass details. I stillremember that the inner linings were in blackand white pinstripe because, in my style vision,even the interiors had to be as carefully craftedas the visible parts. I had chosen liquorice black,railway grey, sand, burnt Hermès brown, anddark brown, each in a different size. I then madebracelets using the same materials to completethe look. In 15 days, I sold everything at a well-known boutique in the centre of Milan. Thefunny and paradoxical thing is that threemonths later, fortunately, I changed jobs... Where does your inspiration come from? AP Art, in all its forms, has always given me anoutstanding creative and emotional push; evennow, when I stand at the initial stage of aproject, my research always starts from an ongoingexhibition. More recently, it might be AnishKapoor’s solo exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, aphotography book from the 90s or a film like thelatest one by Wes Anderson. Curiosity has beena lifelong companion, giving me a lot ofinspirational exposure and helping me growprofessionally. What helped you find your voice and personalstyle? AP It all starts from the sensitivity or intuitionthat each of us has within; it’s an impalpableexpression that is then translated into ideas,concepts, and forms. What are the biggest lessons you have learnedsince working as a designer? AP A fundamental lesson is that, from theoutset, it is vital to understand the historicalmoment the world is going through and the realneeds that people have, regardless of trends andthe era in which one finds oneself designing.Another key point I always keep highlighted inmy mind is to arrive at a simplifi- cation of anidea; whether it’s a photographic shot, a stand, acustom project or a product for a company, the turning point always comesthrough applying this concept. ALESSANDRO PASINELLI
What are three things you do every day thatdefine you? AP Physical training (consistency) Setting professional and personal goals(mentality) Nutrition (healthy and wholesomeliving) Indeed, it is a challenging but effective routine. You are a highly organised person. How do you cope with stress? AP Even in moments of difficulty, I try to remaincalm and never lose my composure; a solutionwill always be found. The real challenge isconveying this to the people who work around me and with me.Under stress, I have learned to execute a projectmore quickly, often making it more interesting. My benchmark has always been the desktop ofmy Mac, divided into folders and subfolders ...today, my mind reasons in the same way ... Nothing works without the support of others.Who do you rely on? AP Teamwork is fundamental, and I could neverdo without it; in my studio, every project isshared with my collaborators and modified, ifnecessary, after direct discussion with everyone.My fortune is to work with extraordinary peoplewho, like me, always put their heads andpassion into what they do. Often, we don’t seeeye to eye, but this allows for an equal exchangeand enables me to move to the next step,knowing there’s an alternative. What are three words you use to describeyourself? AP Insightful, altruistic, eclectic. How do you define success? AP Success is the result of hard work that leadsyou to achieve the goals you have set foryourself. It’s only sometimes attainable, butwhat’s essential is consistently raising the bar sothat you can grow consciously. ALESSANDRO PASINELLI
You have a diverse background in design,having worked with renowned brands andenvisioned various materials, objects, anddesign requirements. Can you discuss how yourexperience across different mediums hasinfluenced your approach to design and how you navigate the uniquechallenges and opportunities presented by eachproject? AP Being cross-functional is an excellentadvantage because I have had, and still have,the fortune of working with both large companies thathave a specific product and approach to entirelyopen-ended or freely collaborative projects. This has allowed me to broaden and absorbdifferent concepts and work methodologies,especially regarding the use of materials. Manyideas have been born by elaborating andreinterpreting what has been seen in past years. What was the inspiration behind Rugged? AP We wanted a traditional product but withwcontemporary notes while embracingstructural inconsistency so as to give the carpeta unique, distinctive, authentic appearance.Every irregularity had to become a tangible signof the skilled craftsman’s hand, giving theproduct a unique character distinguished byoriginality. The most formidable challenge wasto make it as commercially viable as possible. We are surrounded by carpets that are moreexercises in style for the designers, representingthem more than the company they weredesigned for. So, we endeavoured to go against the current,seeking a dialogue with raw material. Albertoimmediately understood our intention andsupported us from the beginning, providing uswith the right tools to forge this path, and hisexpertise on the subject was crucial. ALESSANDRO PASINELLI
Reduce, reuse, recycle.Transforming & PerformingRecycled PET emerges as a transformativematerial that challenges our perception ofwaste. Designers are revolutionisingenvironmental responsibility by reimaginingplastic bottles as elegant, functional objects thatbreathe new life into the abundance ofdiscarded material.Each transformed bottle becomes a statementof ecological consciousness, turning potentialenvironmental burdens into aesthetic andfunctional brilliance and a powerful narrative ofcircular design. The innovative material's exceptional durability,water resistance, and versatility make it aperfect medium for outdoor rugs that canwithstand diverse environmental challenges.More than a material, recycled PET represents aphilosophy of hope. The future of design iscircular, responsible, and profoundlyimaginative.And so are we.REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
The CollectionIn crafting UNWIND, an outdoor rug collection,designer Alessandro Pasinelli draws upon theintricate symbolism of winds and the essence ofNorth African design, intertwining bothinfluences seamlessly.Invisible to the naked eye yet omnipresent in itsinfluence, the wind has been a silent witness tothe unfolding of civilisations, shaping the veryfabric of human experience with gentle whispersand tempestuous roars alike.Viewed through the prism of North Africanlandscapes, every rug in the UNWIND collectionencapsulates the enduring interplay betweenwind and earth. Embracing the timeless wisdomof the wind and acknowledging its sacred role onearth. Alessandro Pasinelli’s designs incorporateelements that resonate with the region's naturalbeauty and atmospheric phenomena. One breath at a time. COLLECTION
HaboobA haboob is an intense dust and sand storm unleashed bythunderstorms that hit the vast desert surfaces of theSahara.The non-uniform diamond pattern merges tradition andmodernity, bringing the rich Berber cultural heritage intomodern and contemporary spaces. Crafted skillfully, itsweave evokes the vast desert landscape, with warm andenveloping tones reminiscent of sunset colours on the dunes.Haboob beige brown Haboob ivory beige Haboob brown ivory
Haboob mocca brown
SimùnThe Simùn is an arid and scorching wind generated by thelow pressures in the Mediterranean Sea and the highpressures in the desert. It carries very high temperatures.The colour palette ranges from the golden tones of sand tothe earthier skin tones, creating a sensation of calm andserenity typical of desolate yet fascinating lands. Its slightlyirregular texture adds a touch of authenticity, highlightingthe inspiration taken from nature.Simùn beige ivory Simùn beige mocca Simùn mocca ivory Simùn brown mocca
Simùn brown ivory
GhibliThe Ghibli is a hot Sahara wind that blows mainly in springand early summer from the interior toward the Libyan coast.The geometric patterns of this design develop into a play ofunique and bold shapes, enhancing the intrinsic beauty of ahandmade carpet. The lines, sometimes light and sometimesdark, create a visual rhythm that captures attention andgives the rug a vibrant personality.Ghibli beige ivory mocca Ghibli brown ivory mocca
Ghibli beige ivory mocca
KhamsinKhamsin is a wind that blows over the eastern region ofNorth Africa for up to fifty consecutive days.This design draws inspiration from this wind by repeatingvertical and horizontal lines and combinations of contrastingtones. It captures the essence of the desert and sand,transforming the home into an oasis of warmth andcomfort.Khamsin beige ivory mocca Khamsin brown ivory mocca
Khamsin brown ivory mocca
HarmattanHarmattan is a dry, dusty, and mighty wind that blows northeastand west from the Sahara to the Gulf of Guinea in the winter.Abstract geometries and traditional motifs, typical of Berberrugs, are reinterpreted in a contemporary key, bringingmodernity without compromising the authenticity ofcraftsmanship. This harmonious blend of past and presentoffers a unique opportunity to bring the enchantingatmosphere of the Berber deserts directly into the homeenvironment.Harmattan beige ivory Harmattan beige mocca Harmattan mocca ivory Harmattan brown mocca
Harmattan beige ivory
KibliIt is a dry, hot wind carrying large quantities of desert dust andsand. Due to its strength, it can modify the landscapes itencounters by moving sand from one place to another.A design inspired by the desert landscape. The choice tomaintain irregular lines gives the rug a unique and distinctiveappearance and emphasises the authenticity of the creativeprocess. Each irregularity becomes a tangible sign of thecraftsman’s skilled hand.Kibli beige ivory mocca Kibli brown ivory mocca
Kibli brown ivory mocca
Outdoor is the new BlackOUTDOOR‘’Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea,drink the wild air.’’Ralph Waldo EmersonOOur bodies and minds respond positively toelements like sunlight, greenery, fresh air, andopen spaces, often resulting in relaxation,rejuvenation, and well-being.Incorporating outdoor elements into interior designcan satisfy this primal urge and create moreharmonious and inviting spaces.Our home has become more than just a place torelax; it has become our sanctuary. Whether youhave a small terrace or acres of garden to roamin, creating a space that lets you relax, entertain,invite friends, find inner peace, and spend timewith your family is essential. ur innate yearningfor the outdoors stems from a deep-seatedconnection to nature.
Hand-Made Rugs have magical powers. Aside from breathingvital warmth and homeliness into every room, rugssoften even the most minimalist interior whilecarving islands of cosiness. A rug should be more than merely decorative —itshould also help create a focal point in yourliving space. A rug can also tie together thevarious elements that compose a room whilestating its presence. ur custom-made service is aimed atarchitects, interior designers, and, of course, interioraficionados.The rugs are custom-created with exact specificationsfor yarn type, shape, size, and colour. Expertise and artistry, precision, and passion arewhat define our work. Each rug is hand-made,showcasing the exceptional skills of localartisans. Their attention to detail and use ofhigh-quality materials underscores ourdedication to creating exceptional and enduringheirlooms. HAND MADE
Concept Alberto Levi Gallery srl Styling & Interior Alessandro Pasinelli Studio Photographer Bianca Puleo Art Direction & Design Anna Levi Styling Assistants Alessandra Vigani Michela Tacchini Text Anna Levi & Alessandro Pasinelli Editor Daniela Amini Publisher Alberto Levi Gallery srl Acknowledgements for locationDaniela Micol Wajskol, DMW InteriorsAny reproduction, representation or modification in full or part is expressly prohibited. © 2024 Alberto Levi Gallery srl All rights reserved
Via San Maurilio 2420123 Milano, Italygallery@albertolevi.com+39 028 90115 53albertolevi.com