From Where I Stand - The Plus Paper

Always Remember To Look Down, Pixartprinting’s Latest Project Seems To Implore Us

You may recognise Pixartprinting from our earlier feature on their shop-front sign history of Milan (if you haven’t read it, you can do so here, and their latest project is another original way of accessing a city’s culture. This time that city is London and rather than shop signs, the focus is floors.

“Fantasy”

Bibendum

Stanhope Gardens

Peter Jones Store

Nunhead Green

Bloomsburry Coffee House

Nunhead Green

The Italian web-to-print company have collaborated with Sebastian Erras, the well-known German photographer, on the latest instalment of their Floor Series – which can be viewed in full here. The first two parts showcased Venice and then Barcelona and the tour of the world’s great architectural hubs continue with the British capital.

We often look up while exploring, toward the sky, toward rooftops, careful not to miss what is above our heads, but what about what’s below our feet. The London Floor Series proves that the detailed design of these cities don’t just end at eye-level, the ground we walk on plays a role in the aesthetics of a place. History, character and culture can be seen in this journey through London’s surfaces.

London in particular has a fascinating tale to be told through it’s floors – from regeneration after to the war, to changes in design and culture and Pixartprinting journeys through many landmarks to piece together the puzzle. From cultural institutions such as the V&A museum and the Tate Britain to more contemporary expressions of popular culture at well-known restaurants, Sketch and Duck&Waffle, then whistestop tour combines old and new, tourist hotspots and national landmarks.

“Art”

Bank of England

Tate Britain

Bank of England

V&A Museum

Royal College of Art

Leighton House Museum

See one of the world’s most exciting cities as you may have never seen it before and always, remember to look down.

We spoke to Pixartprinting about the idea behind this latest project and what it was like to collaborate with such a well-known photographer.

The Plus: Is this an on-going project?
Pixartprinting: We have just published the article Milan re-tale which you can read here.
Our goal with the creation of these pieces of content is to satisfy our target’s interests (they are designers, architects, artists, creatives) offering them an interesting and original vision of a topic.

TP: Why did Pixart create the story?
PP: The project was born with the idea of “giving voice” to the traditional places from Milan to recuperate the know-how, the creativity and the esthetics values from the past. The modern city of Milan also has a rich and traditional past; and, there is a connection with the present. We have talked with each place that take part of the project to tell a curiosity, some highlights of its subject of interested.

“Design”

Aesop

Cabana Islington

Sushisamba

Rococo Chocolates

Sketch

Kupp Cafe

TP: What is Pixart’s view on a city’s identity?
PP: The identity of a city is formed by all the individual and institutional creations. The typography, the architecture, the design of the city in general, its publics communications, its sign shops, etc. All these ingredients are part of the identity of a place. In the case of Milan re-tale we wanted to explore the contribution of these historical locals to the atmosphere of the city.

TP: Will Pixart continue exploring the same topic in the other cities?
PP: We have interesting projects and ideas in process. It is possible that we continue exploring the same thing in other cities. Actually we would love it.

TP: How was the collaboration with the photographer?
PP: When we had defined the project and the idea of the kind of picture we wanted to show, we contacted to Marco Valmarana. Looking at his artwork, we thought he could do a great job and now, with the results, we are satisfied for this decision.

“English Way”

St. James Park