“Graffito di Luce”: The Light Installation That Illuminates Design Week 2025
In the heartof Milan Design Week, an extraordinary event will welcome all lovers of art, design, and history:“Graffito di Luce,” a one-of-a-kind installation that will be on display in the evocativeBramante Cloister of the Church of Santa Maria delle Graziefrom April 6 to 13, 2025. Created through a collaboration betweenFAN Europe Lightingand renowned designerLuca Trazzi, this project captures the essence of contemporary design, blending it with the historical and architectural heritage that has made this location famous
A Journey Through History and Innovation: The Inspiration of Luca Trazzi
The project emerged from the encounter betweenLuca Trazzi, an internationally renowned architect and designer, and the magnificent Renaissance setting of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, specifically itsBramante Cloisterand theSacristy. Trazzi’s inspiration stems from a very distinctive decorative element: afloral graffitoin the cloister’s plasterwork, attributed to the architect Donato Bramante. Under Trazzi’s vision, this image is transformed into a series of lamps and light structures that enliven the space with a delicate interplay of light and shadow.
The lamps, with their light, rounded, sunburst-like structure, echo the decorative masonry that characterizes the cloister’s architecture, bringing its beauty into a new dimension. With its warm, enveloping light, the installation not only illuminates the spaces but also creates a deep connection between past and present, between art and functionality.
The Magic of Light: A Project of High Symbolism
Every element of “Graffito di Luce” is imbued with symbolic meaning, starting with the choice of the numbereight, which recurs throughout the installation. This number, associated with the figure ofDonato Bramante, also appears in his architecture, where it was linked to concepts of perfection and balance. In the context of the installation, the number eight represents a tribute to a cosmic and divine order, evoking the idea ofthe Resurrectionandthe New Man, themes dear to the Renaissance.
The floor lamps, featuringgold-colored anodized aluminumwires and small finials reminiscent of the small flowers in the graffiti, are strategically placed in the cloister’sinner gardenand in thesacristy.
The arrangement of the lamps follows geometric and symbolic patterns that reflect the thinking of the great masters of the Renaissance, such asLuca PacioliandLeonardo da Vinci, who contributed to the design and illustration of mathematical treatises that influenced the architecture and design of that period.
The Play of Light and Shadow: An Immersive Experience
The installation is not merely an artistic intervention, but a sensory experience that transforms the space. Just as in the finest theaters, light plays with the shadows cast by the columns and the majestic magnolias in the cloister, creating an atmosphere that invites reflection and meditation. Along the way, the light guides visitors, tracing luminous lines that intertwine with the history of the place.
A central element of the design is thefountain in the garden, which serves as a symbol oflifeandlight. The column of light rising from the center of the fountain spreads out like an umbrella, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment and creating harmony between water, light, and nature. This visual “tree of life” not only enriches the garden but also embodies a metaphor for the light that accompanies the thought and spirituality of the Dominican friars, a theme central to the religious tradition of the site.
A Tribute to Timeless Beauty
“Graffito di Luce” is not merely a lighting project, but a tribute to the timeless beauty of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and to the mastery of Donato Bramante. Trazzi has interpreted the space with a respectful and innovative approach, without altering its historical identity; on the contrary, it has enriched it with a contemporary interpretation that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
The installation offers a unique opportunity to experience the Bramante Cloister in a new light—both literally and figuratively. It is an experience that blends art, history, and design, creating an emotional connection that will remain etched in the memory of those who experience it.
When and Where to Watch It
If you’re in Milan duringDesign Week 2025, don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this unique experience. “Graffito di Luce” will be on viewfrom April 6 to 13, 2025, daily from10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., in the Bramante Cloister ofthe Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a place that is a work of art in its own right and which, thanks to Luca Trazzi and F.A.N. Europe, is transformed into a stage of light and beauty.
Join us in exploring this fascinating blend of design, art, and history—a journey you’ll never forget.
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