Paradise found · Lebo

Product catalog summary

Introduction and Publisher Information

Paradise Found is a 2004 publication by TREND GROUP S.p.A., focusing on the collaboration with artist David LeBatard (LEBO). The publication was edited by Federica Bisazza with concept and graphic design by Stefanoserafini.com. It was printed in Italy by Artegrafica Verona with a limited run of 5000 copies.

Company Profile: TREND

TREND is a young, dynamic company passionate about art and design. It aims to blend the ancient tradition of mosaic art with contemporary design, creating everyday coverings inspired by historical mosaic techniques. TREND values the creativity of young designers and positions itself as a partner for emerging talent, fostering innovation beyond conventional business boundaries.

Artist Profile: David LeBatard (LEBO)

David LeBatard, known as LEBO, was born in New York in 1972 and raised in South Florida. He graduated from Florida International University in 1995. LEBO is recognized for his vibrant, colorful artwork that combines cartoon imagery with cultural and musical metaphors, reflecting his Cuban-American heritage. His style features bold colors, opaque finishes, and black outlines reminiscent of graffiti and street art.

LEBO has lectured on cartoon art techniques and has exhibited widely since 1996. His work includes outdoor murals and has attracted media attention, including coverage by the Miami Herald. Supported by grants from the Miami Light Project and the Ford Foundation, he has participated in international design and site-specific projects.

Artistic Philosophy and Collaboration

LEBO embraces the concept of "contamination" or mixture, exploring spiritual and scientific themes through the language of cartoons. His artistic evolution has led him from drawing and painting to working with colored glass, fabric, fashion, and now mosaics. The collaboration with TREND represents a harmonious fusion of ancient mosaic tradition and modern design, reflecting a deep affinity and shared passion.

Materials and Techniques

The publication highlights two main types of mosaic materials used by TREND:

Prezioso: Slabs made from recycled glass mosaic grit bonded together with a binding agent.
Cristallino: Slabs of recycled and tempered glass mosaic grit colored with pigmented binding agents.

Design Collections and Installation Examples

The document presents a series of mosaic carpet designs by LEBO, each accompanied by examples of installation ("Esempi di posa") and modular/border configurations. The collections include:

The Birt of Love
Swinging on a Moonbeam
Time Stands Still
Kisses into Forever
Whispers in Time
Interstellar Lullaby
Echos of Infinite Light
As We Spin Slowly
The Colors of Light
Midnight in the Milky Way
Cloudburst at Sunrise
In the Middle of Everywhere
Floating in Air
Touching in Space
Breathing in the Day

Each design is available in various tile sizes (e.g., 60x120 cm, 60x60 cm, 30x15 cm) to allow flexible installation patterns and borders, facilitating customization for different spaces.

Summary of Key Points

TREND integrates traditional mosaic art with contemporary design, focusing on innovation and young talent.
LEBO brings a vibrant, multicultural, and graphic style to mosaic art, expanding his artistic media into glass and fabric.
Materials used emphasize sustainability (recycled glass) and quality (tempered glass with pigmented binders).
Design versatility is ensured through modular tile sizes and border options, supporting diverse installation needs.
Artistic collaboration symbolizes a fusion of heritage and modernity, aiming to create daily functional art.

Catalog excerpts

paradise found

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editor federica bisazza concept and graphic design: stefanoserafini.com © 2004 photo: urnato.it prepress: graficain verona published: june 2004 printed in italy: artegrafica verona copies: 5000 copyright: TREND GROUP S.p.A. All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the proper permission in writing of TREND GROUP. paradise found

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TREND, ESALTAZIONE DEL TALENTO TREND è un’azienda giovane. Dei giovani ha l’entusiasmo, il gusto della sperimentazione, la voglia di scoprire strade nuove. Così, interpreta la sua mission oltre i confini del business, per spaziare senza limiti, con leggerezza, nel campo dell’arte e del design. TREND ha l’ambizione di trasportare la tradizione dell’arte musiva nel cuore della contemporaneità, per tradurla in rivestimenti quotidiani, proprio come avveniva in passato. Per questo TREND nutre una naturale attrazione verso il talento dei giovani designer. Per questo i giovani designer di talento trovano...

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Paradise found: the color, the shape and the sound. (Il Paradiso ritrovato: la forma, il colore, il suono) Amo la contaminazione, la mescolanza. Con il mio lavoro cerco di esplorare gli elementi più puri e spirituali delle arti e delle scienze umane - dall’astronomia alla storia, dalla musica alla fisica - e di interpretarli con il linguaggio dei cartoon. In fondo il fumetto è una forma espressiva primordiale, che da sempre combina le immagini, le parole, il racconto: basta pensare alle pitture rupestri, ai geroglifici o alle iconografie religiose. Negli ultimi tempi, dal disegno e dalla pittura...

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Conosciuto come LEBO, David LeBatard è nato a New York nel 1972, e si è trasferito nel sud della Florida dove, nel 1995, ha conseguito il diploma di laurea. Durante gli studi, ha tenuto lezioni sulla pratica e la tecnica di approccio all’arte del fumetto all’International Museum of Cartoon Art di Boca Raton in Florida. Risale al 1996 la sua prima esposizione, presso l’Università Johnson e Wales di Miami, alla quale Lebo deve l’inizio della vendita delle sue opere vibranti di colore e ricche di spirito. Durante questi anni di formazione, sviluppa un distinto linguaggio etnico, che si esplica nell’uso...

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Lebo ha mostrato il suo talento anche come “cantastorie” creando una serie di murales esterni. The artist displayed his talent as public storyteller, to create a series of outdoor murals. It was here Un’occasione per mostrare il suo repertorio di immagini fumettistiche esaltate dal contrasto di that he exhibited his repertoire of cartoon images presented against flat fields of color. colori. La sua marcata impronta di “graffittismo” attrae subito l’attenzione in modo evidente e il The strong form of his graffiti-esque designs soon began to attract widespread attention. Miami Herald lo cita come...

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TREND & lebo prezioso LEBO è soprattutto allegria, colore, puro segno grafico. Calore caraibico che si staglia nel cielo di Miami. Contrasti, tinte forti, ibridazioni culturali. La forza cromatica e materica del materiale TREND e l’energia creativa di un artista polivalente e vitalistico. Lastre di graniglie di mosaico di vetro riciclato, unite tra loro da un legante. Slabs of recycled glass mosaic grit, held together by a binding agent. cristallino LEBO is above all happiness, colour, pure graphic sign. Caribbean warmth that stands out against the Miami sky. Lastre di graniglie di vetro riciclato...

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