The Visitor —
A golden tribute.
08
Gardeco
Art & decoration
The Visitor is more than a sculpture. It is a traveller, a silent witness, a symbol of encounters and exchanges. We translated its story into a narrative and gave centre stage to craftsmanship and authenticity.
Gardeco approached us for the 15th anniversary of their iconic sculpture, The Visitor. For this special occasion, a luxurious golden finish was applied to the sculpture. We were given a clear brief: create a story that goes beyond the object itself – an ode to craftsmanship, origin, and giving back. A Golden Tribute became our point of departure.
The journey, from Brazil to Venice to the world, forms the narrative thread. It is a story of origin, craftsmanship, and destination. This narrative is woven through word, image, and form, and is also reflected in the emblem. Its lines refer to movement and artisanal craft, visually capturing the story. The emblem was embossed into the certificate accompanying each sculpture as a tactile detail, anchoring both the handwork and the storytelling.
The photography and videography were shot in Venice and we gave special attention to the last remaining gold-leaf atelier, where craftsmanship is still very present. The imagery is not stylised and perfect, but rather reveals the maker’s hand, the texture of the material, and the soul of the object.
The copy was inspired by Venice – its shimmering waters, the soft reflection of light on gold and a city that whispers rather than speaks.
Our copywriter translated that feeling into a poem that deepens the narrative. The words allow the sculpture to speak, bring the journey to life, and add an extra layer of meaning to The Visitor.
From Belgium to Brazil,
a story rooted in craftsmanship.
We further shaped the object as a silent dialogue between worlds. The Visitor travels from Belgium, where Guido Deleu’s design forms the starting point, to Brazil, where it is translated into ceramics and supports local makers. It is nothing less than an ode to craftsmanship.
To commemorate this anniversary, and as an extension of the artisanal narrative, Dominique Persoone designed exclusive Visitor chocolates for Gardeco. This unique gesture gives A Golden Tribute both taste and meaning, further reinforcing the craftsmanship story.
