The Aicon Group, aside the world preview of the Dinghy 33 by Morgan, will launch a new brand of semi-displaced boats. The new collection, with three new models, the first of which, a 110’, is already in construction, is inspired to an innovative idea of design, sustainable because eco-compatible, thanks to new technologies and to the low consumptions, but also thanks to a new conception of the lines, retrieving classical forms in terms of sailing.

Two the novelties both for Absolute, with the Absolute 64 and the 42 HT, and Queens Yachts presenting the Queens 54’ and 62’.
For those who are attracted to the most advanced technologies, there is – with a touch-screen console at the wheel and the Fairline Systems Pilot allowing the owner to control all the electric system of the boat – the 20 meters Squadron 65 presented by the Fairline British shipyards, with four cabins and built according to high standards.

Relies on ecological solutions Giannetti Star with the Navetta GS65, thought of according to the Italian Style. Safety is matched with exceptional performances: 1800 miles of autonomy at cruising speed, from 14 to 18 cruising knots with soaring trim, 21 knots of maximum speed. Great autonomy, even in fresh water, secured by big tanks and by the desalination plant: there is no need to find moors in the most crowded harbours and to refuel every few days.

If Grand Banks launches the 41 Heritage, also the 440 Goldstar Sport by Cantieri Estensi makes its début, combining safety with nautical qualities of fishing boats to which the whole collection is inspired. The gears used are among the most reliable like the engines FTP N67-450 for professional use combined with cylinders in line.

The F46 of Sealine, that will be distributed in Italy at the Cantieri Nautici Solcio, is a flybridge with a modern and innovative design.  The classic lines of the British brand match with elegance and modernity. The boat has been especially projected to make best use of a propulsion system through “pods”, like Zeus of the Cummuns MerCruiser Diesel, that has a manoeuvre and moor system through joystick, available both for the lower and the fly pilot position.

Italian version

After the charm of sailing yachts by Perini of the Perini Navi Cup, the giants of the sea come back to the Smeralda Coast with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, from 6 to 12 September 2009 in the waters of Porto Cervo.

The event is one of the classic appointments of the sailing season of the Smeralda Coast Yacht Club. The fleet will compete over coastal paths winding along the oriental coast of Sardinia. The categories are: racing, cruising, wally, mini maxi and spirit of tradition. For the first time the maxi swan class will also participate, and Porto Cervo is the third stop of the 2009 circuit.

Among the protagonists of the regatta there will be Alfa Romeo, belonging to new-Zealander shipowner  Neville Crichton, winner of his category in 2003 and 2006 with the previous yacht carrying the same name.
Great waiting also for the Gliss, owned by shipowner Marco Vogele, first classified at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in June. To represent Italy there will be 36-metre Viriella, owned by shipowner Vittorio Moretti and Solleone owned by Leonardo Ferragamo, President of Nautor’s Swan.

Italian Version

The Monaco Yacht Show is mainly dedicated to the launch of sailing and motor big yachts and will take place from 24th to 27th September 2009 in Monaco.
Numerous are the activities scheduled that will surprise lovers and professionals of the maritime industry, in the sign of luxury, of customization and care for the environment.

Here we offer a brief review of the latest arrivals, from motor yachts and sailing boats to charters.

Speed and elegance: motor yachts.
If Palmer Johnson launches Coverdrive 2, Cerri Cantieri Navali launches Carri 102’ Flyingsport, already presented in Cannes, homonym are the new arrivals presented by CRN and Admiral. If the CRN 126 “Blue Eyes” is a 60 metre long mega yacht, with the capacity to host 12 guests and 14 staff, the Admiral 42 “Blue Eyes” is the new 42 metre long flagship, presented in a first ever preview. Realized under the supervision of the America Bureau of Shipping, so to obtain the certification “Maltese Cross A1 C.Y.S., AMS”, the yacht is characterized by stern hatch which opens as a platform over the sea, offering a guest area on the sea for sunbathing or fitness; the garage which holds the tender on one side, equipped with a cart bridge for loading and launching it, and the central instrument holding mast which increases space on the sun deck. The yacht is completely built out of light 5083 aluminium and thanks to twin 3,650hp MTU engines she can reach up to 30.5 knots. The yacht distinguishes itself with its clean and sleek lines, dark blue hull and light grey superstructure, performance, excellence seafaring capabilities, not to mention her layout, designed by Luca Dini. Interiors are essential, characterized by modern furniture.

CMN Yachts presents the CMN Line 60, ideated in partnership with Andrew Winch Designs. The yacht can host up to 14 guests and besides spacious areas, it is also provided with comforts such as the home entertainment centre with video-on-demand. The motor yacht is propelled by twin Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines and is fitted with two pairs of zero-speed Quantum stabilisers, creating a very comfortable yacht both underway and at anchor.

Delta Marine, the USA constructor of customized yachts, presents the 151-foot motor yacht Katya, the 156-foot semi-displacement motor yacht Slojo, the 124-foot Marama and a 64-metre propelled by diesel engines.

Different projects are also presented, at the Monaco Yacht Show 2009, by JFA Shipyard, constructor of super yachts ranging from 70 to 200 feet lengths, made of any materials: the Motor Sailer 90’, the catamaran VPLP 110’ in carbon and the Vripack 141’.
For German Lürssen – Yachts, the news is Arkley, a 60-metre yacht characterized by spacious areas and the capacity to host 12 guests.
At the show, there will also be Tamsen Yachts with the 41-metre taTii, the W 164 by Westport and the 65-metre by Yankoa Yachts, which is a true exemplar of yachts made in Italy, designed by Professor Ruggiero of the Genoa Marine Engineering Studio featuring interiors designed by Francesco Paszkowski.

Platinum Yachts, constructor of the MY Dubai, the world’s longest yacht, 162 metres, will present the 88-metre Triton, designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, propelled by an electric and diesel system engine.
The Peri 29 by Peri Yachts merges modern appeal, sandwich structure made of composite material and attention to details. Peri 29 is the lightest and fastest yacht produced by the shipyard.
If Pendennis launches the sloop 30-metre Dubois, the 32-metre Barracuda and the 46-metre Ron Holland Ketch, on the other side, Burger Boat Company, constructor of customizable yachts made of aluminium or steel, presents Sycara IV, a 46-metre featuring classic style with elements of the XX century, and the 43-metre Sea Owl. Classic in style are also the new arrivals presented by Vicem Yachts: Vicem 46-metre and Vicem 35 made of composite materials.

At the mercy of the wind: sailing boats.
New-zealander Alloy Yachts present the fifth sailing yacht produced by the shipyard. Mondango, over 50-metre long, features a sail area of over 4 thousand sq metres and its design is created by Reymond Langton: strong but elegant lines.

Made of composite materials are also the yachts of Oyster Marine: the 100 Deck Saloon, the 125 Deck Saloon, the 125 Raised Saloon and the 125 Flybridge, which offer high building and quality standards.
Southern Wind Shipyard, heartened by the surface expansion of the shipyard that is now able to create up to four units per year, from 80 to 140 feet, presents at the Monaco Show its new SW 100 and SW 110 RS and a number of new projects ideated in collaboration with Reichel Pugh and Farr Yacht Design, for naval architecture, and with Nauta Design for the interiors.

Royal Huisman will also be present with the 90-metre Athena and the 52-metre Meteor, the 58-metre Ethereal and the 42-metre Super-J Class Hanuman and many more yachts. There will also be new Zealander sailing super yachts by Yachting Developments.

Peculiar and innovative elements, proper of a big boat, characterize the Baltin 77 Black Pearl by Baltin Yachts. It is a 23-metre customizable yacht. The sleek lines of the carbon hull and the uncluttered deck layout by Tripp Design are completed perfectly by the minimalistic but warm interior design by Rhoades Young.
Created for regattas the Swan 90 S by Nautor’s Swan, designed by German Frers, unites the typical style of the shipyard to the experience in building high tech boats dedicated to competitions.

The charters.
Numerous this year too are the new charters.
For example, there is a number of new arrivals at the Camper & Nicholsons maison, among which the 62-metre Roma motor yacht, build by Viareggio Superyachts, able to host 12 guests and provided with facilities with as cinema, lift, gym and Jacuzzi. Utopia DV is available at the Edmiston, a 72-metre characterized by spacious interiors, wide glass surfaces and high automation. For sail lovers Dahm International presents Sea Rose Star.

Italian version

During the French event it will be presented the 43 meters Navetta 43 “Rubeccan”, in Monaco the mega yacht “Blue Eyes” will be the protagonist.

CRN 43, “Rubeccan” is a 43 meters maxiyacht able to welcome 10 passengers and 9 members of the crew. Created in collaboration between the technical staff of CRN and the Studio Zuccon Internationl Project, that took care of the external layout, this ship travels at a cruising speed of 13 knots with two C32-C Caterpillar engines. The ship features big volumes, and Italian style furnishing and internal design. The terrace in the ship owner’s suite  and the fitness area with astern sauna on the lower deck, connected to the sea thanks to opening of the stern hatchback that becomes a beach just an inch from the water, are the two creative solutions projected by the shipyard for the Navetta 43, composite collection.

CRN 126 “Blue Eyes” is a 60 meters mega yacht that can welcome 12 guests and a 14 people crew. A slender prow, large volumes, big spaces leaning on the sea are the characteristics of the steal and aluminium ship, also outcome of the collaboration between the CRN shipyard and the Studio Zuccon International Project that took care of the exteriors, while the interior design is by the Studio Fabrizio Smania plc. The drive has 2 3512B Caterpillar to make the ship sail at a cruising speed of 14 knots. Innovative is the stern of the lower deck, that belongs to an area set up as a real “beach club”. The stern hatchback transforms, in fact, in a  big beach just an inch from the water, equipped with comfortable sun chairs and that can be used as solarium. Distinctive feature of this ship is also the terrace of the ship owner’s suite, created as a real platform leaning on the sea, thanks to the use of a hatchback that can be lifted at 90 degrees and can be set up as a “balcony”. A point of strength of the CRN mega yacht, the terrace is among the most demanded personalisations of ship owners.

On 19th September 2009, instead, it will be launched the 72 meters yacht Clarena II, the biggest pleasure craft built in CRN together with the 80 meters mega yacht constructed by CRN 129 (launch expected in 2011).

Italian version

The biggest and most beautiful boats are getting to Porto Cervo: from 9th to 13th June 2009 the second edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta takes place. It’s organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Boat International Media.

Nineteen are the superyachts that will compete, with an average length over 33 metres, from the historic Aschanti IV built in 1954, to the very new Wally 101 Indio, launched in May 2009. Owned by the shipowner Andrea Recordati, Indio is running its very first regatta, celebrating its sports debut in Porto Cervo.

A number of habitué to sailing events will be present in Costa Smeralda: shipowner Claus-Peter Offen that after taking part to the Maxi yacht Rolex Xup and to the Boat International Superyacht Regatta in 2008, comes back to compete with its 30 metre Y3K; Lindsay Owen Jones competing with Magic Carpet 2 after last year’s Superyacht Regatta. These two hulls, both Wally, were projected by the well-known naval architect German Frers. All eyes will be set on the new entry Ganesha, a 39 metre owned by shipowner P.A. Walker that triumphed in its  category at the St. Barths Bucket 2009 and that decided to stop over in Porto Cervo after participating in the Dubois Cup at the beginning of June.

For the duration of four days, registered teams will test their tactical abilities by sailing paths that were traced by the regatta committee all around the suggestive islands of the La Maddalena archipelagos and all along the north-eastern coast of Sardinia.

The regatta committee of the YCCS, chaired by the Principal Race Officer of the America’s Cup Peter Reggio, will only be spoilt for choice in deciding which among the over thirty possible options is the best route, according to the day’s forecast.

Once back in the wharf the shipowners and the team stuff will have the chance to enjoy the numerous events organized, such as the beach party at the Hotel Romazzino and the dinner for shipowner at the Clubhouse of the YCCS. Throughout the awarding ceremony on Saturday 13th June, the winner will be awarded with the Loro Piana Prize Overall – Silver Jubilee Cup by Boat International Media.

www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com

Italian version

The great sailor tradition comes back to the stage from 29th to 31st May 2009 at the Marina Genova Airport in occasion of the grand exhibition “From yachts to dinghies: twentieth century pleasure crafts”, an event organized in collaboration with AIDE (Italian Association Vintage Drift).

The event aims at tracing back the history of the international nautical tradition. Numerous vintage sailing and motor boats with take part to the event, mostly realized by Italian shipyards. The event will also be accompanied by exhibitions and laboratories, as well as parades by Military Marine and painting exhibitions. The icing on the cake will be the set up of a proper fishers’ and carpenters’ village, to recall the old times and narrate the love story with the sea.

Among side events, worth mentioning is the transit of the Fleet “Sea unites all” on the starting buoy of the “1000 sails” regatta on 1st and 2nd June, and the departure of the legendary DRAGUN from Camogli heading to La Spezia, to celebrate its 40th anniversary and to remember its “creator”, Ido Battistone, originally from Grazie/Porto Venere.

Italian version

Is there anything better, after a tough working year, than to unplug the brain for an entire weekend or for a sea and sports trip together with family or friends? Here a few suggestions for those wishing to rent a luxury yacht or a sailing boat to plough through the waves of the most beautiful seas, from Cannes to the Indian Ocean, immersed in a world of top services and a lot of fun.

Lovers of sports supercars can choose the tour “A Taste of Sicily by Yacht & Ferrari”, ideated by Aironblue and Red Travel, in which it’ll be possible to experience in person two realities of the made in Italy: the Aicon yachts and the cars of the Prancing Horse. Two are the itineraries that go through the most suggestive spots of Sicily: one on the eastern coast, from Taormina to Siracusa, and the other on the western coast, from Cefalù to Marsala; itineraries set right in between the earth and the sea, driving the great reds of Maranello, and granting oneself relaxing days on board of special yachts. A glamour holiday that does not leave out the most significant aspects of this piece of land: history, beautiful landscapes and enogastronomy. You’ll be part of a true Ferrari Team, enjoying the chance to personally drive one of the brand’s latest models, including the very new Ferrari 430 Scuderia F1, in limited edition, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1 and the Ferrari California. The Red Travel personal assistant with his car, Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2, will take care of everything: from luggage transfer, to car maintenance and the selection of the most spectacular itineraries.

If you rather prefer ploughing through the waves of Cannes, Monaco, Corsica or Sardinia on board of a sailing boat, you can go for a MITseaAH by YachtBrokers International, a 48 metre long boat built by the Pendennis shipyard in 2004. The warmth of Turkey and Greece can be discovered on board of an Esma Sultan by Galeo Yachting, a 38 metre long boat able to host 14 hosts and sail through the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Those wishing to visit Singapore and the most beautiful spots of the Indian Ocean from a very peculiar point of view, half way between the sea and the green, can go for a charter Grand Banks Yachts and travel around Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The basic package offers the possibility of sailing across the Malacca straight and of dedicating entire days to the preferred sports at the best Singapore club, the Laguna National Golf & Country Club.

Sports style for Impulsive, a 120 feet boat offered by Sacks Group. It was built by Norship in 1994, and restyled in 2008. It’s endowed with suite, Jacuzzi, plasma tv and bar. It’ll take its 8 guests to plough through the waves of the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean.

Those travelling with family, paying thus much attention to the safety aspects and to the manageability of the boat can opt for an explorer vessel such as Ab Normal, managed by Floating Life. The prow is particularly soaring and its 30 metre length convey a sense of impressiveness to the entire vessel. It was realized in Brazil at the Inace shipyard in 2006, it features a steel hull, over 7.15 m length. 2 Cat 3406 motorized, the yacht reaches a cruising speed equal to 10 knots. The interiors are characterized by precious refinements and comfort.

For travels from the Baltic area to the Mediterranean Sea, here we suggest Maria Vittoria, belonging too to Floating Life. It was built in the Glommers Mek shipyard in Oslo in 1960, it originally serves as a little vessel to transport passengers visiting Norway’s fiords. It was later moved to the Adriatic Sea, carrying on the same job on our coasts and on the Croatian ones, until it was bought by a passionate Italian armour who decided to transform it so to make it usable for the charter. The boat’s main characteristics are: the number of people it can host at any time and a great autonomy. The interiors of the yacht convey a touch of joy and conviviality to the holiday.

Italian version

About 350 yachts take part in the boat competitions involving the main old sailing boats national associations. Who is already a bit experienced with sailing boats will have the chance to board on one of the boats that will participate in the event.

Among the boats, most of which are made of wood through the technique of the traditional planking , stand out those constructed by the shipyard Sangermani of Lavagna. Among the other shipyards there are Fife by Fairlie, Olin Stephens, Camper & Nicholson, Nathaniel G. Herreshoff and Laurent Giles.

Many of the boats to admire have a prestigious background history. There will be Nineteenth century boats, that is constructed two centuries ago, and boats that in 2009 turn 100 years, like the Tuiga, the 22 meters by Alberto of Monaco, launched at the Scottish Fife shipyards in 1909.

There is Stormvogel of 1961, set of the movie “Dead calm”, Zaca, schooner turning eighty years old, once owned by the actor Errol Flynn, that hosted Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth on the occasion of the shooting of “The Lady of Shanghai”, Moonbeam IV of 1914, cutter used by Ranieri of Monaco and Grace Kelly for their honeymoon.

The overall winners of each stage, in the two categories Epoque and Classic will receive as award the watch Officine Panerai in limited edition and unique circulation Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante.
The best classified of all the winners of each stage in the Mediterranean, will win instead the final Trofeo Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, awarded on the occasion of the Regatès Royales of Cannes, final stage of the entire circuit.

Italian version

The yacht stood out among the others at the harbour and distinguished itself thanks to its peculiar coloration, thanks to the silhouette that recalls that of dolphins and thanks to details such as two lateral stairs that link the two floors of the boat.

Ocean Emerald is the first of four identical yachts that will be launched within the coming two years, all currently under construction at the Italian shipyard Rodriquez Cantieri Navali. The colour, a very particular shade of grey, created by Boero exclusively for Yacht Plus, makes the yacht get confused with the sea if the day is not a sunny one. The 41-metre boat was projected to emphasize space and light. It features five suites, hosting maximum twelve guests that will be attended by a fixed seven-people staff. Particular attention is dedicated to details and materials: fake leather, corian ceilings and bleached oak, Cassina furnishing and Schiffini kitchens. The focus is in fact on design and the care for environment and for a low pollution impact.

Lord Foster explains the birth of the project: “The idea was to create a luxury yacht, able, for the first time, to re-invent internal and external spaces. Illumination was especially taken care of both for day and night. I also ideated a sharing area as well as a privacy one. This is a developed concept of yacht, particularly focusing on design, with the aim to create a lifestyle site as if you were staying in a luxury hotel. We did not miss out details regarding safety”.

How did you find yourself working in the nautical field?
“The project was just a dream, an idea. It was something I had in mind, in terms of design, of architecture, of technology. The first challenges hit us when it came to put concepts into practice. I had already worked for other boats, but this project is so totally mine that expectations stood very high. I curated the interior as well as the many other details of the boat. The design gets inspiration from lifestyle, luxury and private jets realities. The project was realized in collaboration with NetJets”.

Where did you get inspiration from for the shapes of Ocean Emerald?
“I was inspired by the shapes of nature, as it often happens in other fields too, from the automotive to architecture. Many see in it a dolphin. The centre of gravity was moved to the centre of the boat. I particularly focused my attention on illumination, also thanks to a glass spiral staircase built in such a way to allow light to get through”.

Why were the boats identically realized?
“The boats were ideated to be identical to be later differently personalized. Personalization in fact occurs every time the owner gets on board. The boat was conceived to be flexible to different configurations. If there would have been different models, clients would have chosen between a preferred model and a non-preferred one”.

Will you work again on the project of a yacht?
“I had already drawn projects in the past, but to face a blank page or a blank screen and to free the mind starting all over with a new project is something extremely exciting. It was very enthusiastic to work in the nautical field. If I were to be asked again, why not?”

What would you like to project in the future?
“If there’s a good project, it’s be interesting to test new areas that I have never tested before”.

How do you face the financial crisis?
“Any challenging moments push us to be more efficient, to do more with less”.

Andrea Pezzini, General Manager of Floating Life, Switzerland based society that will handle the management of Yacht Plus, explained in detail the time-sharing project. “Every boat has eight clients, each stays on boats a month per year, in the Mediterranean Sea or in the Caribbean, according to the preferred location. Each boat will have its own geographic area. Each client, throughout the stay on board is completely taken care of: we organize the trip to detail, from pictures of personal belongings, from the rotation of the staff to the cleaning shifts, from the creation of a luggage set conceived to make comfortable the different stages of the trip: from home to the yacht”.

Caterina Varpi

Italian version

The first meeting is dedicated to the experts of the field and takes place at the Old Harbour of Genova from 4th to 8th May. Will be gathered brokers and charter agencies operating in the luxury navigation.

From 15th to 17th May the protagonist is the Arsenal of Venice with Mare Maggio, tour starting from the past and projecting into the future, in one of the most fascinating areas of the city, symbolic place of the marine and the naval art.

From 8th to 10th May it’s the time of Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show, showing the last novelties in terms of navigation and luxury especially from Asia, through events, concerts and fashion shows, followed by the 14th edition of Internautica 2009, that will take place at the Marina Portoroz in Slovenia and will host the most prestigious brands of the yachting industry, of accessorizes and clothing.

From 15th to 21st May takes place in Rio de Janeiro the Rio Boat Show, with top products presented by the most important brands of the sector concerning also the fans of water sports and fishing, among boat races and testing.

Follows, from 20th to 24th  May, the Beirut Boat Show, important date for the brands aiming to an expansion in the middle-eastern markets. On exhibition, besides sailing boats and yachts, accessorizes, instruments, clothing for the fans of navigation, fishing and water sports.

To conclude, from 21st to 24th May in Australia, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, the biggest show on water of the Asia-Pacific region. Besides Australian brands, will be present firms from the five continents that, supported by the dealers of the region, will present their products to an international public. Will be launched novelties, among the others, by Grand Banks, Sunseeker, Montebello.

Italian version

Whoever wishes to enchant his guests with appetizing dishes, non only at home, but on the sailing boat too, can go and attend the On Board Cookery Course on the Grampus of the Beppe Croce Sea School on 14th, 21st and 24th May 2009.

Roberto Avanzino, professor at a catering vocational school and professional skipper, will teach to cook delicious, yet rapid, dishes on board. The course scheduled two nights on the boat and one Sunday sail followed by the delivery of certificates of attendance.

Among the many issues raised: the effects of cooking on food, the diverse kinds of menus, cookery on board, cooking pasta without water, wines and aperitifs.

www.scuolabeppecroce.com

Italian version

For the readers fan of the sea and of sailing, as well as for all fan of painting, Luxgallery presents the works of a young artists from Parma, Lorenza Cavalli, who combined these two elements in her research. We interviewed her to enter her world, made of sea, boats and lots of colours.

How does your painting, consecrated to the world of sailing and boats, generate?
It derives from the love for the sea and from the curiosity for the way in which the water plays with the boat hull. By observing carefully the nature of this encounter, made of reflexes and matter, I felt a sort of pictorial challenge, a work in progress aimed at bringing the subject back through the pictorial gestural expressiveness.
After studying arts at the Brera Academy I devoted myself to the reproduction of water on the canvas. My goal is to combine in painting the shape of boats with the naturally pictorial effects of the sea.

Two elements that lend themselves very much to arts..
In fact, for me boats are sculptures, perfect contemporary icons reaching the most of their splendour during the racing phase. Through the oil-on-canvas technique, detailed by definition, I like to catch the luminescence of the matter “zooming” on details. That is where my hyper-realist style comes from. Perhaps a passion that blossomed when  I used to work on board as a member of the crew. To be honest, my canvases include also other subjects, other shapes, however over the last 6-7 years I specialized on the detailed restoration of this subject. After the canvas and the exhibitions, the first commissions arrived as well as links to some of the protagonists of the nautical world.

How do you choose the destinations or the sailing events to paint?
I followed especially the Rolex Cup. I had the opportunity to take en plein air some photographic shots, on a rubber dinghy. A practical and necessary need to render a faithful image to the original, caught while this is in movement. At the beginning I didn’t know boats, it was my poetic inclination towards hyper-realism to give me a greater confidence.
This meticulous behaviour towards nature has been technically translated through oil painting. Once the shots are taken, I make up the composition into my atelier moving from Milan, where, until 6th April, my personal exhibition is set up at the Yacht Club, and Parma. After the work of photographic “impression”, where boats serve as real models, I work on a canvas for 20-30 days, drying included. Thus, the boat race is the moment when I can obtain a series of subjects on which I work afterwards.

You create oils on canvas for monumental works of art. Does the passion for the subject prevail or is there a target and purchaser requirement?
The subject is at the core of my research. I prefer extensive and comfortable formats, rendering the size of the boat while it stand out against the sky and the sea. Be they horizontal or vertical, the canvas must show the boat details as if they were zoomed. But the choice can also fall on smaller formats if required by the ship owner, or to play with the interior. I prefer using smaller canvases in order to focus on the subject, on its reflex on the hull or on the details of the boat, which can be both sailing boat or motorboat.

You follow the most important nautical races and return them into hyper-realistic compositions. However, the sizes of the canvas and few details convey a more romantic idea. How do you relate toward a nautical event?
My production is evolving more towards the purchasers. At the beginning I was attracted by the agonistic tension of the competition, then I deepened my relationship with the buyer or the owner. An emotional tie generated, with the subject as well as with who requested it. My first boats showed the strength of the competition, then I consecrated myself to old boats, with a more poetical taste. Over the last time, instead, I am developing towards a reduction of the formats to realize detailed works, where the matter and the light are privileged. The nicest and most romantic way in which these two aspects come into contact.

Despite your young age, your works have been appreciated inside Italian and international galleries. This time, we can admire your canvases in an exclusive space such as the Yachts Club Milan. Could you explain us how this collaboration was born?
Everything began last year. I had been working on the subject for few years when I discovered the Yacht Club. Here I found a synergy between my idea of navigation and the one suggested by this reality. Thus, I presented my book and the first exhibition was set up from November to February 2007.
Recently one of my articles has been published on Superyacht March issue. So, I had the chance to attend the events organized by the Yacht Clubs. Furthermore, I am one of the few artists who portrays this kind of subjects. I am at ease here, it is an exciting environment for my constant challenge with the subject. Moreover, I like being in contact with a public of sailing fans like me. Last September Dr. Romiti ordered a painting of its “creature”, set up at the Franchini Stand at the Nautical Showroom in Genova. I had seen it only on a picture, thus when I found it in front of my eyes it was a great sensation. Wow, it was as if it was mine as well! Since then I thought of it as a new challenge. I would like to realize prototypes of boats to suggest to the shipyards. I believe it would be a kind of work that would well adapt to the target, given the trifle and the precision that need oil-on-canvas. Furthermore, it would be a further way to distinguish myself.

Your work is in constant evolution. Besides this news, what are your future challenges?
I would like to deepen the direct relationship with the navigation and its world. First of all, I would like to have to chance to turn the painting into a prototype, then I would like to enter the real shipowner’s world to portray the subject. After the casual interaction with the world of navigation, I would like to meet its protagonists. My hyper-realism is evolving towards a magic realism, in which some details are zoomed becoming almost abstract. I am reaching a wider wish, in which also the shipowner, and not only the boat anymore, would be hyper-realistically magic.

Italian version