illy presents BollyDoll
Since the company’s inception in 1933, the name illy has been synonymous with excellent taste in coffee, culture and the arts, with a deeply held belief that coffee is to be enjoyed with all senses. Illy’s deep commitment to the arts ranges from its iconic red square logo designed by James Rosenquist, which is recognized by millions around the globe as a symbol of the world’s best coffee, to the illy Art Collection of cups and cans to the roving Galleria illy, a temporary arts space showcasing visual artists, filmmakers, authors and musicians to its collaboration last year with Simon Doonan who created “Miss Illy” for the Barneys New York holiday windows. This month, longtime illy partner, Marina Abramovic, presented her Spirit Cup performance, created for illy 10 years ago, at the annual gala (curated by Abramovic) of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
“Timbaland Presents BollyDoll” brings to life Amrita Sen’s 26 piece exhibit of BollyDoll illustrations, light boxes and scarves and musical collaboration with Timbaland. Amrita combines classical Indian traditions with modern multimedia pop art. Close up, her pieces show the fine, delicate precision of Indian jewelry. At a distance, the settings evoke the vibrant color and sound of Bollywood. In the visual and musical story of BollyDoll, she explores the themes of realization of self and universe through the story of two girls living in a supernatural, otherworldly setting.
In recent years, Illy’s Art Director, Carlo Bach, has formed partnerships with this generation’s most influential contributors to art, film and music. This collaboration with Timbaland and artist-singer and BollyDoll creator, Amrita Sen, includes illustrations by Amrita and a live performance by Amrita and her BollyDolls at the launch of the exhibit at The Betsy hotel on November 30th where the worldwide release of Timbaland’s remix of his single “Pass At Me” featuring BollyDoll will premier.
“Our mission and obsession is to enhance people’s lives through sensory pleasure and intellectual involvement. This is what we aim to do with every cup of illy coffee,” said Andrea Illy, Chairman and Chief Executive of illycaffè. “The collaboration with Timbaland and BollyDoll is one that brings the artwork to life in new and exciting ways and pushes the boundaries of art, music and cultural collaboration.”
