Club Medici

Club Medici

Designer

Logo Design, Branding, Social, Print, Web Design, Taglines

Club Medici is a non-profit that supports and grants artists residency in short and medium-term stays in exchange for completing a directed critical review of original art of note by regional artists. The mission is to foster the creation, enjoyment, dissemination, review and preservation of new works of original art of note across a wide spectrum of artistic disciplines, including but not limited to literary, visual art, fabrication, music, performance, and new media, etc.

Work included the brand identity which included a logo design, pattern, integration with the architecture, way finding, packaging, iconography and more. Three initial concepts were created based on a classical renaissance look and a modern contemporary look and feel. 

The Medici were the most impactful patrons in the history of the Western arts,
supporting the likes of Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli, Raphael, Galileo
amongst many many more across the many artistic fields including sculpture, painting,
science, music, architecture, etc.

The mission of Club Medici is to foster the creation, enjoyment, dissemination, review and preservation of new works of original art of note across a wide spectrum of artistic disciplines. The target audience for enjoyment and exposure is regional, national and global creators. The target audience for artist participation will be weighted toward, but not exclusively, individuals 40 years of age and above who feel they want to explore a more immersive creative opportunity.

Club Medici will offer short-term and medium-term artist residency stays in exchange for completing a directed critical review of work by regional artists. In addition, Club Medici provides pass-through grants to support capital and major ticket projects for emerging and second-tier arts organizations, partial support on a case-by-case basis for arts residents, and direct micro grants to support artists with expanding awareness and in the dissemination of art and artists such as touring, events, promotion, etc. They also provide scholarships for artists. Lastly, Club Medici maintains an archive and permanent collection to preserve the work of the artists who participate in their programs.

DRAW Archhitecture + Urban Design for Club Medici included container-based studio units and a campus configuration for solitude and collaboration. Renderings included studio units, lodge space, artist retreat and personal dwellings. The rendering included a crisp tech look and feel for mid-level and above artistry and music production with an emphasis on Nnet zero energy using solar/wind power, passive heating/cooling, well water, and septic/compost.

The House of Medici was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that first consolidated power in the Republic of Florence under Cosimo de' Medici, during the first half of the 15th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of Tuscany, and prospered gradually until it was able to fund the Medici Bank. This bank was the largest in Europe during the 15th century and facilitated the Medicis' rise to political power in Florence, although they officially remained citizens rather than monarchs until the 16th century.

The Medici family have claimed to have funded the invention of the piano and opera, financed the construction of Saint Peter's Basilica and Santa Maria del Fiore, and were patrons of Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Machiavelli, Galileo and Francesco Redi among many others in the arts and sciences.

One unproven story traces their ancestry to a knight of Charlemagne's, Averardo, who defeated a giant, Mugello. In reward, Charlemagne is said to have rewarded Averardo with the shield mauled by the giant, with the dents in the shape of balls, and the giant's lands in Mugello.

Another theory suggests that the balls represented coins copied from the coat of arms of the Guild of Moneychangers (Arte del Cambio) to which the Medici belonged. That shield was red strewn with Byzantine coins (bezants). It has also been argued that these coins referenced the three coins or golden balls associated with St. Nicholas, particularly as the saint was invoked by Italian bankers as they took oaths.

The simplest, is that the balls are stylized oranges based on the name of the orange being mela medica or the medical apple. Lorenzo Magnifico writes about facing into the garden with a sweet smell of orange blossoms. The number of balls also varied with time from 5 to 12. The number six remained stable after 1465.

Club Medici is a nonprofit organization that carries the legacy of the House of Medici by supporting artists from various disciplines. The mission is to awaken artists to a life of creative work, spark inspiration, and expand audience access, all while encouraging deeper understanding and enjoyment of art.

With a focus on creating a holistic environment, Club Medici collaborated with DRAW, a woman-led architectural firm, to design container-based studio units that integrate NetZero functionality within natural surroundings.

The shield and six balls are a nod to the Medici coat of arms, which is thought to symbolize their interest in Etruscan art and culture. Within the C and M monogram lies a key symbol relating to the club's residency program. Like the Medici family, Club Medici also aims to showcase its connection to art, history, and excellence.