RISD in Rome: Drinking, the Italian Way - Re-Evaluating the Vessel

Full Course Description

Drinking is something we all do…from coffee to water and wine or all of the above. How and where we drink is determined by our culture on some level. Whether Espresso or Frappaccino, there are rituals, cultural norms and cues that determine not only what and how we drink, most importantly what we are drinking from.

This studio looks at the drinking vessel in context and the rituals that dictate their uses. We will look into water, wine and coffee in the Italian culture. Students will design appropriate drinking vessels and re-create the ritual that inspired them in a final installation.

Outcomes

• 3 vessels: these can be traditional models or any form of vessel that the ritual inspires, abstraction welcome!
• Installation / Performance: Recreating the ritual this vessel is a part of. (Additional elements may be made for installation)

Defining Italy as the context, this studio will emphasize field research and the iterative design process. Looking at coffee, water and wine and their cultural significance in Italy, and the rituals that dictate their uses, students will design vessels to enhance and support the experience of drinking. Students will experience coffee through field research around Rome, observing and recording the espresso culture, traveling to the Illy museum in Trieste. Next they will delve into the historic culture of water in Rome, visiting the Park of Aqueducts and the Trevi Fountain. Visiting a vineyard, students will experience the beautiful origins of wine and get a taste of agricultural context. After researching these beverages, we will look at the history of glass vessels in Venice. We will also attend the Venice Bienale.

Using all of the field research, students will use the iterative design process to find new solutions for 3 vessels. They will sketch in 2D and 3D and eventually make final models.These can be traditional models or any form of vessel that the ritual inspires, abstraction is welcomed.The presentation will be presented in an installation.

Program Details

Full requirements for eligibility

If you are a RISD student currently enrolled in any year/department and you have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the time of registration, you are eligible for registration. Note: Students seeking exception to this academic policy should contact the Registrar at registrar@risd.edu with any questions.

If you are a college student currently enrolled in another art/design college or institution around the world, or a professional practicing in the field, you are also eligible to register for any RISD Global Summer Study.