In Search of Immortality

In Search of Immortality

“The concept is my expression of the beauty of life.  I chose a delicate and elegant branch with dew dripping off of it to represent earth, water and life.”

 - Joseph Ricchio

Joseph Ricchio

‘Albero’ End Table

‘Albero’ Cocktail Table

‘Albero’ Bench

Each Botanist piece includes an authentic stainless steel badge signed by the designer

Have you ever asked yourself what happens to the life of a plant after it dies?  Does it matter or is it simply part of Mother Nature’s rhythm?  What if you could immortalize a plant that had a particular significance to you while it was a living organism?  Perhaps it could solidify a childhood memory of a summer tree house or even a fishing stick.  The truth is that plants are not meant to live forever.  But what if modern furniture design could change that?

The ‘Albero‘ series for Botanist designed by Joseph Ricchio captures the frail, beautiful silhouette of a single tree branch in a graphic portrayal.  Through his design, Ricchio has given this individual form a timeless and enduring setting that will never decay or wither to the demands of nature.  In a sense, immortality has been granted to a composition that the earth would seek to claim by recreating the unique and varied branch extensions and water droplets nature designed.  The translation of this living form is now available through the Botanist series of end tables, cocktail tables and benches, capturing the essence and grace of organic growth through Ricchio’s design.

Over the years, the Ricchio Design studio has completed a multitude of projects in product, furniture and graphic design.  Projects range from strategic product planning for Xerox Corporation to collateral pieces for Team Disney. In 2004, assisted by Professor Michael J. Kammermeyer, Ricchio established the “Cortona Design Retreat” - an annual program to take selected design students interested in a career in furniture design to visit the Milan Furniture Fair and experience the Italian culture.

DIFFA Dining by Design 

Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises funds to battle immunological disorder through exquisite table setting events

Every year talented designers from a range of fields including art, fashion, architecture, and interior design come together through DIFFA Dining by Design to showcase innovation and creativity in a dining setting.  DIFFA takes these amazing spaces on tour and hosts a series of dining events to help raise funds in support of HIV/AIDS victims and preventive education.  And if you leave hungry, it’s your own fault.

The ‘Albero’ series by Joe Ricchio donates funds to DIFFA.  By purchasing an ‘Albero’ end table, cocktail table or bench you vicariously support the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.  “I have been donating to (DIFFA) for many years for a variety of reasons,” says Ricchio.  “First, Larry Pond was the director of Design at Stendig and introduced my first chair.  He began DIFFA and has since died of AIDS.  Second, I have a family member that is HIV positive.  And third, I believe it is simply a good choice.”

DIFFA is one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for those living with HIV/AIDS.  Since 1984, immense resources of the design communities have been mobilized by DIFFA to provide over $38 million to hundreds of AIDS service organizations nationwide.