illycaffè Partners with The Cultivist to Launch Art for Thought Coffee Cocktail Evenings in Celebration of the launch of their newest Art Collection at Frieze London 2023
illycaffè, in celebration of its long history of championing contemporary artists through the illy Art Collection, is delighted to announce an exciting collaboration with leading global arts club, The Cultivist. In partnership, illycaffè and The Cultivist will host two exclusive Art for Thought coffee cocktail evenings to coincide with Frieze London, hosted at Green Michelin Starred restaurant, Apricity, Mayfair. The events will be held throughout October and will include talks from renowned curators, as well as signature coffee cocktails from illycaffé.
Contemporary art for illy represents the language that perfectly synthesises the culture of coffee and its aesthetic, social and intellectual value. This concept is showcased throughout illy’s Art Collection of coffee cups, now one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the world. illycaffè has invited 126 international contemporary artists, from Ai Wei Wei to Jeff Koons to re-imagine its iconic Matteo Thun designed espresso cup. Each utilises the cup as a blank canvas for their work and to inspire conversation on important topics of our time.
illycaffé is the official coffee partner of Frieze, the world’s leading platform for contemporary art and excitingly, will reveal its much-anticipated 127th illy Art collection in collaboration with an internationally revered artist, this October at Frieze London.
The Art for Thought coffee cocktail evenings will be held on the 9th and 23rd October, and will encompass exclusive talks on thought-provoking art-led topics. Joey Lico, Executive Director of The Cultivist and the former Director of the New York Foundation for the Arts and art advisor to the White House Obama administration will share her expertise on ‘How to Build an Art House’ on 9th October. Dr Madeline Haddon curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum East will take guests on a journey of ‘Art Through the Ages’ on 23rd October.
Throughout the evening, illy will serve a selection of delicious coffee cocktails including their signature illy Espresso Martini (also available in decaf) and the illy Negroni, as well as their much loved non-alcoholic Cold Brew & Lemon Tonic cocktail, which includes a refreshing glass of 24-hour infused cold brew coffee, with a splash on tonic and squeeze of lemon. Award-winning, Apricity led by illy Chef Ambassador Chantelle Nicholson will create a delicious menu of canapès for the evening.
Stuart Holmes, Managing Director of illycaffè comments; “Family-owned illycaffè has long championed the world’s most exciting contemporary artists through its influential illy Art Collection project. In celebration of Frieze, we are delighted to host this series of thought-provoking art talks in partnership with The Cultivist, an organisation who share our commitment to opening doors to the art world and have huge relevance in London.’
The Cultivist is the world’s only global arts club with access to every aspect of the art world, representing authentic global art and luxury brands. Founded in 2015 by two veteran industry insiders, Marlies Verhoeven and Daisy Peat, who together led the Sotheby’s VIP & loyalty program for over 6 years, now have a network of over 40 consultants around the globe. Tickets for each event retail at £40 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite.