A special jury chaired by Elisabetta Fabri, President and CEO of Starhotels, selected the winning work, "DARK SUN AND ME" by Materie by Paolo Mangano, from among the 10 finalist works. The piece is a circular smoked mirror with an iron and brass frame, featuring multiple copper elements and stones (malachite and crystals) arranged in a radial pattern.
The work is a wall mirror representing a sun with abstract rays, designed to reflect the image of the face at its centre. The object stands out for its use of reclaimed materials from different sources, creating a spatial and unconventional result. The rays are made from electroplating production waste (copper and brass), which, treated with polished and burnished finishes, give the mirror a precious, understated and mysterious appearance. The rough stones set into the piece add colour and symbolise an underground world connected to solar energy. The techniques used range from laser cutting of the frame to the entirely hand-shaped rays and the creation of the stone settings, with final assembly carried out using pins and sockets.
Paolo Mangano, a Roman goldsmith and sculptor active since 1985, specialises in creating jewellery for Italian and international brands. His work includes collaborations with internationally renowned artists and contemporary art galleries in Rome, London, Paris and New York. At the same time, he creates handcrafted jewellery that explores the transformation of matter, working with both traditional metals and alternative materials. His creations are known for observing the forms of the body and for surprising through the combination of materials and techniques. Since 2007, he has been a lecturer at IED, where he teaches the Bachelor's Degree and the International Master's Programme in Jewellery Design. His collaborations include Giorgio Vigna, Elisabetta Cipriani, and the Stefania Miscetti and Secondome Galleries. His artisan workshop, specialising in goldsmithing, silversmithing, metalwork and sculpture, is located in the centre of Rome, between St. Peter's Basilica and the Pantheon.
