Natuzzi Italia Brings Puglia to Miami with Immersive Art Installation & Ecological Message
Natuzzi Italia, a global leader in design and luxury furniture, transformed its Miami showroom yesterday with PUGLIA LOVERS, an event that celebrated art, culture, and environmental awareness. The centerpiece of the event was Mediterranean Scrub: A Journey Between Memory and Ecological Transformation, a striking installation by Italian artist Agostino Iacurci. The initiative was part of Natuzzi’s Open Art Project, a platform showcasing cross-disciplinary artistic collaborations displayed alongside the brand’s signature furniture pieces.
Iacurci’s installation invited visitors into a sensory exploration of the Mediterranean landscape. A stylized olive branch adorned the showroom’s façade, serving as a symbolic gateway into a space imbued with memory and transformation. Inside, suspended canvases nearly nine feet tall depicted black silhouettes of Mediterranean flora—borage, strawberry tree, poppy, and nettle—reflecting Iacurci’s childhood memories of southern Italy. Through the use of humble materials like light textiles and paint, the installation evoked both the fragility and resilience of the Mediterranean ecosystem.
Artist Agostino Iacurci (courtesy of Natuzzi)
The artwork also addressed the devastating impact of Xylella Fastidiosa, a bacterial disease that has ravaged olive trees in southern Italy. In collaboration with Save the Olives, a non-profit dedicated to combating this epidemic, Iacurci emphasized the need for urgent environmental action while celebrating the enduring cultural identity of Puglia.
Complementing the event, Alcova Miami will present Puglia Contemporary Land from December 3–8. This curated exhibition, organized by the Puglia Region and Pugliapromozione Regional Tourism Board, will highlight Puglia’s evolving cultural identity through contemporary furniture, artisanal craftsmanship, and design innovation. Featured works include ceramics, textiles, frescoes, and design pieces crafted from local stone and olive wood.
Since its founding in 1959, Natuzzi Italia has exemplified the essence of Italian design and craftsmanship. The company continues to honor its heritage through initiatives like PUGLIA LOVERS, blending tradition with global engagement to promote sustainability and cultural preservation.