Shopping: Let's Revisit Wunder Kammer
I've just seen some new photos Giampiero took inside Wunder Kammer, his shop on Isola Bella, and so I think it's time that we all take another visit there. Readers of Stresa Sights already know that Wunder Kammer is one of my favorite shops here, and that we're always recommending it to people who are searching for something different to remember their Stresa vacation by. In the three years since it has been open the shop has been building up a nice reputation for its eclectic collection of fine crafts and handmade artworks. And more and more of the items are related to the islands and Stresa in some way. The unicorn figures prominantly in many items, like in the throw pillows in the photo above. Statues and architectural details from the Borromeo palace are also used as inspiration often, as in the photographs and plaques. While the images are of the familiar islands and views, they are different from any other photos you'll find of Stresa for sale. But think how a unicorn will always remind you of Stresa ....
This building is more than 500 years old by the way... just look at those beams! Giampiero and his wife can always be found in the shop, and they will love to tell you about the different pieces and how they were made. Most of the photographic art was actually taken by Giampiero himself. It's difficult in these photos of the shop to see the details on the individual pieces. For this take a look at the new Wunder Kammer blog.
Giampiero is also the founder and director of the annual art exhibit in Stresa entitled "Lo Spirito del Lago." Each summer, this exhibit brings together modern artists from all around Europe, presenting their art in various venues around the islands and in Spazio Luparia in central Stresa. This exhibit, which will definitely make you think, is always one of my favorite things to see during the summer. I LOVE the title of this past summer's exhibition: "Solo i Pesci Morti Seguono La Corrente." Meaning, "Only Dead Fish Swim With the Current." Meaning, the exhibition was definitely not like your average one. The same can be said for the items at Wunder Kammer. They definitely are not average.
Here again is the link to Wunder Kammer's new blog: In addition to the interior photos there is a slideshow of some of the more unique products in the shop, and another slideshow of the recent Lo Spirito exhibition:
Here's the post from April 2009 that tells a little more about the shop and Giampiero.
And for another example of Giampiero's work, here is a collection of photos Giampiero took in the Borromeo gardens on a foggy day in early 2011.
Category Article art and culture, Shopping
