The Castello Volante bistro is getting a makeover with FLEUR, an exhibition showcasing ceramics by Stefania De Francesco and illustrations by Alessandra De Cristofaro. Two artists in dialogue within the Nuvole spaces. Ceramics and illustrations, different techniques and materials, united by a floral theme, take us on a dreamlike journey surrounded by primeval nature, through fantastical landscapes inhabited by fairies and mythological figures. A world as mysterious and intriguing as a woman.
On Thursday 29 June (free entry) from 8 pm, to mark the exhibition’s opening, Nuvole invites you to a wine tasting featuring wines from the A-MANO winery, which will accompany the menu created by chef Pippi Smoke.
DJ Sonda’s musical selections will provide the soundtrack for the evening; his sets are characterised by a search for common ground between the rigidity of white-label electronic music and the warmth of funk, soul, disco, Latin and Afro rhythms. Behind the turntables, he presents what is described as a diverse mix of styles, constantly on the lookout for something new and stimulating, always striking a balance between intensity and light-hearted fun.
TASTING MENU curated by Pippi Smoke
Stuffed courgette flowers
Bombette with apple-smoked mashed potato, sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella
Caciocavallo and pear muffins
(tasting price €25.00)
A-MANO, founded by Mark from California and Elvira from Friuli, is an Apulian winery producing excellent wines using only indigenous grape varieties. They offer a contemporary style that fully respects the terroir, delivering outstanding quality.
During the evening, you’ll have the chance to taste two classics: the Fiano Greco, an extroverted, fresh and aromatic white wine with aromas of fresh fruit and pleasant floral notes; and the Rosato Primitivo, with a light, fresh and delicate flavour and a pleasant savoury quality.
Nuvole is a ‘workshop of taste’ where art, music and flavours come together on the terraces of Castello Volante.
The revamp of Spazio Nuvole was made possible thanks to the support of several Salento-based companies that have embraced Castello Volante’s cultural project by supporting its activities in various ways:
Schiavone Interiors, a company specialising in bespoke wooden furniture systems for interior design (fratellischiavone.com), and xGraph, a leader in high-quality digital production (xgraph.it).
EXHIBITION INFO
Alessandra De Cristofaro is an illustrator born in Lecce. She studied illustration and comics at the HAW in Hamburg and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. She works as a freelancer with international publishing houses, agencies and magazines; her clients include The New York Times, Pentagram Design, Vanity Fair, Feltrinelli and La Nuova Frontiera junior. Her work is characterised by a focus on the relationship between the external and internal worlds, expressed in a dreamlike and surreal dimension and rendered in a pop art style. Her most recent illustrated book is *I cristalli dei 7 chakra* (The Crystals of the 7 Chakras), written by Luca Apicella and published in Italy by Vivida Books.
alessandradecristofaro.com
Stefania De Francesco (Per inciso – Ceramica a Sud) is a desire turned into a project, an idea turned into a workshop, a dream turned into a craft. The brand was founded in Lecce in 2015, born out of Stefania De Francesco’s passion for ceramics and her natural affinity for craftsmanship, her artistic studies and her background as a restorer. Per inciso is the artist’s attempt to build a bridge between two places, both traditionally linked to ceramics: Salento, Stefania’s adopted home, and the Czech Republic, her mother’s country of origin, a land of inspiration and sentiment.
‘Per Inciso’ pieces are unique, created from original designs and a constant search for new elements. They are produced in small batches to ensure uniqueness and constant innovation in both form and colour.
perincisoceramica.com
From 7 pm, entry to Nuvole will be free to visit the exhibition, enjoy an aperitif and listen to the DJ set.
Info and table bookings: 3343429268 – nuvole@ilcastellovolante.it
Thanks to X Graph & Schiavone Interiors
