A Final Masterpiece: illycaffè Unveils Robert Wilson's Last Art Collection for Barcolana 2025
September 17 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
Susan Murphy
In a poignant tribute that merges art, the sea, and legacy, illycaffè has unveiled the official poster and a special illy Art Collection for the 57th edition of Barcolana, designed by the late visionary artist Robert Wilson. This collaboration carries a profound significance, representing the final creation the world-renowned visual and theater artist dedicated to illycaffè and to the city of Trieste, sealing a long-standing relationship nurtured through his unique aesthetic vision.
For the Barcolana 2025 poster and accompanying collector's cup, Wilson conceived a rigorous and theatrical composition where each element is arranged with scenographic precision and light takes center stage. Employing powerful, primary graphic elements, the artist transforms shades of blue into the essential components of the regatta: the sky, the sea, and the sails. This minimalist approach brings the historic event back to its purest essence, celebrating the timeless union of art and the maritime world.
The inspiration for this striking visual narrative is drawn from a line in “Lady from the Sea,” a play rewritten by Susan Sontag for Wilson: “And so there are people who think they belong to the sea.” This declaration of belonging perfectly mirrors the spirit of Barcolana and echoes the visceral bond between the city of Trieste and its sea.
The partnership between illycaffè and Robert Wilson is rooted in a rich history of collaboration. The artist first created an illy Art Collection in 2014 with a group of young talents from his Watermill Center. In 2017, he further cemented this creative dialogue by producing “The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon” in Venice to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the illy Art Collection. This new collection for Barcolana is therefore the natural and final continuation of a dialogue with the American artist, whose brilliant and eclectic personality embodied the very spirit of the illy Art Collection.
Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè, commented on the depth of this year’s involvement, stating, “Supporting Barcolana again this year, in its 57th edition, carries an even deeper meaning for us. Celebrating it through the poster and a special illy Art Collection designed by Robert Wilson means paying tribute to his extraordinary talent and continuing to give voice to his vision, even after his passing. With this final creation, Wilson leaves us a message of light and belonging that resonates with the soul of Trieste and with its unbreakable bond with the sea.”
The illy Art Collection designed by Robert Wilson for Barcolana 2025 is now available at a recommended retail price of €26.90. The collector's cup can be purchased at illy's physical stores (illy Caffè and illy Shop), on the official e-shop at www.illy.com, and in dedicated Barcolana spaces.