With MV Line, one of Italy’s leading manufacturers of awnings, including large-scale ones, I developed — through a now well-established collaboration — the idea of concealing the unsightly mechanical arms that extend the fabric across its full horizontal span, while at the same time increasing sun protection. This is how Sun Drive came about: an awning that enhances coverage and UV protection by hiding the arms with an additional flap of fabric which, continuing from the upper part of the awning, also runs along the lower part.

For the installation at Palazzo Litta, I arranged eight awnings on two different levels around a central structure, so that, as they open, they emulate the petals of a large blue flower — a Narcissus Paperwhite — coming into bloom. The fabric of the awnings was decorated thanks to the work of Alessandra and Massimo Gardone, who photographed and processed, through a careful study of color, light and nuance, the image of the narcissus, a flower symbolizing spring and beauty, thus conveying to the viewer the same impalpability and delicacy of its petals.

A spectacular flowering display to witness, which can be admired equally from above or while sitting comfortably beneath the awnings, sheltered from the sun.