Acetaia Giusti

Exploring the impact that time, through wood, has on man and the results of his work, a fundamental element in the production of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. Acetaia Giusti's partnership with TIMEMADE - the project designed by David Dolcini - was born from this mutual intent, in the context of the Milano Design Week. As part of Fuorisalone 2024, held from the 15th to 21st of April, the world's oldest Modena Balsamic Vinegar producer is presenting a selection of works by the renowned designer in its Via Spadari Boutique. Underlying this collaboration lies the desire to portray the importance of wood as a material in constant movement and mutation, which expands, twists and alters overtime, subject to the elements it comes into contact with, and whose scents can be imparted, thus conferring different organoleptic properties to products such as the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. 

As set down by Giuseppe Giusti in 1863 at the Agrarian Exhibition of Modena, the three essential “ingredients” for a “perfect” product are in fact: the selection of the grapes, the quality of the barrels and the ageing time. At Acetaia Giusti, wood is therefore one of the fundamental elements for the production of Balsamic: whereas chestnut, rich in tannins, confers the classic brown colour, the wood of cherry trees softens the flavour, the juniper bestows the resinous essence and the oak conveys the typical vanilla scent. The older the barrel, the more intense the aromas and character given to the Balsamic Vinegar. There are in fact about 600 historical barrels, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, still in use to produce Giusti Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. 

“This initiative - states Claudio Stefani, Acetaia Giusti's CEO - represents a further step along a path born with the aim of appreciating the barrels that have contained our Balsamici di Modena for several years now. Over time, the barrels have in fact acquired all the typical scents of an acetaia and are now capable of imparting them to other products, infusing them and donating new and unexpected aromatic notes: an example of this project is our Vermouth, which is aged in old Giusti barrels, and the “Alchimia” chocolates that are made from chocolate aged for 4 months in our own wooden barrels then processed by master pastry chef Gianluca Fusto to transform it into exquisite pralines”.

TIMEMADE's works - to be displayed in the Giusti Boutique - are articulated in four series that originate one as a logical and natural consequence of the other, constantly evolving into something new. The first is “Grafts”, which combines different shapes and textures on linear axes.The first is “Innesti”, consisting in different shapes and woods that merge along a single axis. Next are the unique pieces part of “Overlaps”, in which the cuts form juxtapositions and overlays combining positive and negative aspects lost in the structural nature of the volumes, and “Tralci”, where the assemblages result in "sprout-like" shapes. The series finale is “Conversi”, where everything becomes clear. The elements, their joints and angles openly dialogue on their planar surfaces.

David Dolcini has developed a collection of unique pieces that reflects the complexity of time in a historical period that sees rapidity as an essential factor to industrial processes, thus celebrating a culture of “craftmanship” founded on artisanal techniques and designer approach, based on respect for the time, material and nature.

The exhibition will be accessible throughout the Milano Design Week, from 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Giusti Boutique located in Via Spadari 6.