A reflection on the changes in remote management with the example of an architectural sculpture project created for Bottega Veneta in Shanghai, China
A reflection on the changes in remote management with the example of an architectural sculpture project created for Bottega Veneta in Shanghai, China.
To survive the turbulence of 2020, businesses had to quickly adapt by implementing experimental or unconventional management methods to minimize the negative impact of the unexpected change in the previous world order. The triumphant march of globalization has shifted even more towards the digital world, the only vehicle for connections in a paralyzed world, further solidifying the social morphology developed around electronically processed information networks.
Remote management also underwent a substantial change: made mandatory by the impossibility of physical presence, it not only required easy and immediate connection but also saw an increase in the responsibility of each team member, as well as an essential component of self-regulation. Nonetheless, digitalization has enhanced the relational and synergistic aspect: the importance of the individual and collaboration among people, which seemed to be undervalued in the era of artificial intelligence, has proven to be vital.
An example of effective remote management can be seen in the project carried out by New Crazy Colors for Bottega Veneta in Shanghai. A chain-shaped construction placed on a platform was implemented in just three weeks, including the engineering of the concept provided by the client, the creation of a prototype mold, production, and installation. The Pop-up, commissioned to the Italian headquarters and managed by it, but produced at the Shanghai site, required greater flexibility from the entire team, which found itself operating in two different time zones thousands of kilometers apart. The human factor and the common cause played a key role in the success of the project: it was precisely thanks to the synergies created, the phenomenal commitment, and the professionalism of the team that it was possible to meet the deadlines. In this regard, instant communication tools, such as WeChat, commonly used in China, have been preferred.
The Pop-up offers an architectural interpretation of Bottega Veneta’s iconic chain, with gold-colored finishes matched to the metal of the same shade, to consolidate a homogeneous perception effect. The lights, positioned on the platform, help create a spectacular scenario even at night, making the installation an attraction for the city and an extraordinary showcase for the brand.
