The studio of Garcia Cumini is based in Udine, a city in the northeastern corner of Italy that borders Austria and Slovenia and covers the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Like border regions across Europe, it is an area that is a blend of history and culture much like the studio that was established by Vicente Garcia Jiménez and Cinzia Cumini whose backgrounds and experiences are diverse and richly layered.
After graduating in technical engineering at the Faculty of Experimental Sciences of Castellon de la Plana in Spain, Vicente Garcìa Jiménez launched a lighting and product development business in Barcelona with collaborations soon leading him to Milan and then Udine, where he opened his first studio in 2005. A local of Udine, Cinzia Cumini graduated from the University of Udine with a degree in the conservation of cultural heritage and a dissertation on the importance of industrial design in contemporary society.
Like many designers in Europe, the duo take a multi-disciplinary approach to their studio output. Interiors, art direction and product design are the culmination of experience and collaboration, evoking the regions’ artisans and technological skills, and a personality that bridges both conceptual and cultural barriers.
"Studio Garcia Cumini came about as a result of the merger of two multi-disciplinary experiences in the world of design and of a shared idea of ‘slow design’ that seeks a soul within things", remarks Garcia Cumini. “Making poetic intuitions takes shape with a vision that ranges from the evolution of technologies, to artistic languages, and to new society trends.”
Cinzia Cumini and Vicente Garcìa Jiménez are Garcia Cumini, the multi-disciplinary design studio based in Udine, Italy. Photo c/o Garcia Cumini.
The relationship first began between Vicente Garcìa Jiménez and Foscarini in 2004 with the Spokes lighting project. The graphic and luminous effect of Spokes was created by Jiménez using slim metal spokes to create a skeletal framework. It is both graphic and practical, playful and ephemeral, and forges a balance between volume and transparency. more space caught up with designers Vicente Garcia Jiménez and Cinzia Cumini to discuss Spokes and their collaboration with Foscarini.
more space: When did Garcia Cumini begin working with Foscarini?
Garcia Cumini: The collaboration with Foscatini started about 15 years ago, first with Vicente, and than since 2012 with Garcia Cumini.
"What is really new in the Spokes project is how we use electrical conductivity in the metal rods. We can not say that it is a new technology, but we use it in a new way. This allowed us to put the LED lamp at the bottom of the light, instead of the middle which is common but not always beautiful. With this solution, you have a clear see-through effect that gives light and transparency in the big volumes too."
Studio Garcia Cumini
How did you meet Foscarini and how did the Spokes collaboration take shape?
A great quality of Foscarini is that they put the quality of the project above all and this allows young designers to express their creativity. In brief, this is what happened when we first began working on the Spokes light. The collaboration has continued through the years with many other products too.
"A great quality of Foscarini is that they put the quality of the project above all and this allows young designers to express their creativity."
Studio Garcia Cumini
For the design of Spokes, were there new techniques developed, or old ones involved?
What is really new in the Spokes project is how we use electrical conductivity in the metal rods. We can not say that it is a new technology, but we use it in a new way. This allowed us to put the LED lamp at the bottom of the light, instead of the middle which is common but not always beautiful. With this solution, you have a clear see-through effect that gives light and transparency in the big volumes too.
Are there some key things you have learnt during your collaboration with Foscarini?
To make a great product, you need both a good project and an open minded entrepreneur!
Thank you both!
Foscarini is available exclusively in South East Asia from Space – Australia – and Space – Asia.
