Italy Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino is ending his four-year tour of duty by honoring the Filipino people with an exquisite gift: a very limited-edition modern art portfolio.
Only 25 numbered copies of the “7,000 Islands” art portfolio were printed by the venerable Rome-based Bulla printing studio.
Three contemporary artists are featured in “7,000 Islands”: Micol Assael, Ra Di Martino and Nunzio. They were asked to freely interpret the concept of “island” as a physical and metaphorical place and a cultural tribute to the country of more than 7,000 islands. Guglielmino, together with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, wrote the text for “7,000 Islands.”
“The prints were made with the highest professionalism and sincere participation on the part of the Italian artists from the point of view of what ‘7,000 islands’ represents. From my perspective, it is a concrete sign of how culture brings two countries like Italy and the Philippines closer,” Guglielmino says.
“In the printing process, I involved the Bulla printing studio, one of the most prestigious artistic printing companies in the world, based in Rome. The Bulla printing studio was born 210 years ago and has always remained in the ownership of the same family. It is currently managed by the seventh generation of printers.”
The 25 copies were given to selected government officials and individuals who were considered crucial to the ties between Italy and the Philippines.
The portfolio was delivered to the Foreign Minister of Italy Luigi Di Maio and Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Other copies were delivered to 15 Filipinos who contributed to the strong ties between the two countries, such as Metropolitan Museum of Manila president Tina Colayco, chef Margarita Fores, businessman Ben Chan, Florence Ko, Rustan’s Nedy Tantoco and Boots Herrera of Ateneo Art Gallery for the creation of the Embassy of Italy Award, which recognized Silvana Diaz for her contribution to visual arts through Galleria 2000.
