Hiroshima: Sandro Bottega presents ‘Spirit of Peace’

It is always nice to receive samples and this time it was from Bottega with their ‘Spirit of Peace’ boxset:

From Hiroshima, the capital of peace that has suffered the devastating effects of war, Italian distillery and winery Bottega sends out a message of brotherhood, promoting an art exhibition while fundraising for the local government.

Bibano, November 29^th, 2017. Annually on 6^th August, the world commemorates the colossal devastation caused by the atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Sandro Bottega – owner and managing director of Bottega S.p.A. – paid a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Museum in 2015, on the 70^th anniversary of the bombing. Deeply moved by this call, he met the City Mayor Kazumi Matsui to hand a million yen donation and a blown glass bottle containing a hand-made dove, universal symbol of peace.

Mr. Matsui, impressed by the initiative, offered the opportunity to exhibit an artwork in three local museums. Hence, Sandro Bottega started working on an exhibition named ‘Spirit of Peace’. The charitable art project, developed with the support of the municipality of Hiroshima, is exhibited from 25^th November to 10^th December 2017 in three prestigious sites: Hiroshima MOCA, Hiroshima Museum of Art and Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum. The three museums showcase respectively the historical collection of artistic blown glass bottles produced by Bottega, and two majestic art pieces, designed by Sandro Bottega and crafted by master glassblower Pino Signoretto on the island of Murano and by the master glassblowers at the Alexander Bottega artistic glassworks.

With these exhibitions, Bottega wishes to remember the horrific bomb strike, in hope to exorcise the fear of atomic wars and to raise awareness on peace, the most important asset for mankind. Additionally, to further enhance the possible reach of this project and raise more proceedings to donate, Bottega carried out a non-profit charity project, producing three dedicated products.

Sandro Bottega explained its symbolic reasons behind the project: “Grappa is an emblem of life (the original name “acqua di vita” means “water of life”); blown glass represents transparency and depth of view; while wine represents the work of man and his sincerity. In addition, grappa and wine are two of the key products of Italian gastronomic culture, united in the name of brotherhood”. Bottega will donate these products to customers who will endorse this initiative and will invite them donate directly to Hiroshima municipality.

Since its establishment in 1977, Bottega advocates Social Responsibility towards the environment and the community. Sensitive to global social issues, from time to time Bottega has created themed bottles to mark or celebrate events that have left a deep trace in the history of mankind.

About the products

• “Peace for the World”: a bottle of wine dedicated to world peace; it features the profile of a white dove on the label, and contains Bottega brut sparkling white Venezia DOC wine produced from Glera, Chardonnay and Pinot grapes (cl.75);
• “Peace for Hiroshima”: a precious, artistically handcrafted bottle featuring a white dove as a symbol of peace, containing Alexander Prosecco grappa (cl.35); it is both a tribute to Hiroshima city and a warning against the war;
• “Hiroshima for World Peace”: a gift box containing both products “Peace for the World” and “Peace for Hiroshima”.

About the exhibitions

• “Spirit of Peace: Art in Grappa”

Artistic exhibition of 50 historical Bottega blown glass bottles.

The “Art in Grappa” collection is an anthology of the artistic bottles made in blown glass by Bottega, over the past 30 years. Each bottle has been designed by Sandro Bottega, who found his main inspiration in the Muranese tradition of glass blowing. Some of these bottles are 1-meter-tall giant creations.

Exhibited at MOCA – Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art. It is located in Hiroshima on top of the big Hijiyama Hill. Opened in 1989, it was the first public museum in Japan exclusively dedicated to contemporary art. The museum was designed by the famous architect Kisho Kurokawa. The permanent collection at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art also features works by selected Japanese and foreign artists, including Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Donald Judd and Henry Moore. www.hiroshima-moca.jp/en/

• “Spirit of Peace: Rebirth of Hope”

Artwork by Bottega & Pino Signoretto

The artwork consists in a blown glass transparent dove (of nearly one metre) created in blown Murano glass by Master Pino Signoretto, surrounded by a hundred drop-shaped “bottles” containing green buds made in blown glass, created by the master glassblowers at the Alexander Bottega artistic glassworks

The transparent dove, whose pose suggests it is “waiting for peace”, represents the rebirth of hope; while the surrounding glass drops symbolize the tears which turn into rain that nurtures life, embodied by the buds.

Exhibited at Hiroshima Museum of Art. It is a private museum, founded in 1978 by Hiroshima Bank to remember the centenary of its foundation. The collection features nearly 90 paintings by famous European artists, including Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and nearly 90 works by modern Japanese painters. www.hiroshima-museum.jp/en/

• “Spirit of Peace: Flight for Peace”

Artwork by Bottega & Pino Signoretto

The artwork consists in a white blown glass dove (of nearly one meter), created in blown Murano glass by Master Pino Signoretto, surrounded by a hundred drop-shaped ‘bottles’, 50 of which feature Japanese flowers within themselves, created by the masters at Alexander Bottega blown glass factory.

The white dove finally takes flight to bring its message of peace and brotherhood to the world. Fifty bottles contain blown glass blossoms of oleander and camphor, which represent hope and strength and were elected respectively “City Flower” and “City Tree” of Hiroshima.

Exhibited at Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum. Reopened in 1986, after a careful renovation, it is a urban museum which harmonically complements the green context of the famous Shukkei-en garden. The museum hosts 3500 artworks related to Hiroshima prefecture, Japanese/Asian craftsmanship pieces, and other works created between 1920 and 1930. www.hpam.jp/english

About Bottega

Bottega is a family owned company located in Bibano, Treviso (45 km North of Venice) that produces and distributes typical Italian premium quality beverages and food products to a global market.

Bottega is a third generation business, today led by Barbara, Sandro, and Stefano Bottega. Headquarters are located in a 19th-century farmhouse, renovated to preserve the original architectural and environmental characteristics, surrounded by 10 hectares of vineyards. The group also runs a winery in Valpolicella and one in Montalcino: here, the great red wines of the Veneto and Tuscany, including Amarone and Brunello, are produced.

The company manages several different brands, amongst which are Alexander, Bottega and Cantina dei Poeti. With the goal of producing and distributing the best Italian wine, grappa, spirits, and food all over the world, Bottega advocates Quality (Italian taste and authenticity), Design (expression of the excellent aesthetic character of being made in Italy) and Social Responsibility towards the environment and the community.