illycaffè presents at Frieze Los Angeles, for the first time in America, the new illy Art Collection designed by John Armleder

Los Angeles, 26 February 2026 – In the refined illy lounge at the contemporary art fair Frieze Los Angeles, from 26 February to 3 March, art lovers, gallery owners and artists will have the opportunity to taste the unique illy blend, created by selecting only 1% of the best Arabica beans, a symbol of Italian excellence and passion for coffee. The illy space thus becomes a crossroads between art and flavour, offering an experience that blends contemporary creativity with the sensory pleasure of a coffee break.

In this exceptional setting, illycaffè is presenting for the first time in the United States the new illy Art Collection signed by John Armleder, one of the most radical and visionary Swiss artists on the international scene. Armleder, a key figure inspired by the Fluxus movement and the work of John Cage, is known for his multidisciplinary approach spanning painting, sculpture, design, performance and installation, bringing his free, ironic and conceptual vision to museums around the world. The collaboration with illycaffè further enriches a career marked by constant innovation and experimentation.

The collection, entitled ‘Tastes’, transforms the illy cup into an object of aesthetic and cultural reflection: mirrored surfaces and iridescent reflections evoke Armleder’s famous disco balls, inviting a dialogue between the everyday object and the artistic dimension. Through this creation, each cup and saucer becomes a window onto worlds of light, visual play and contemporary inspiration.

"We are proud to present the new illy Art Collection by John Armleder in preview at Frieze Los Angeles: a great opportunity to reaffirm our vision of art as a space for freedom, experimentation, and dialogue. In this project, the illy cup stands out as an object of artistic expression, capable of connecting contemporary art, design, and sensory experience," commented Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè.

With illycaffè, global coffee partner of Frieze, the experience offered in the illy lounge transcends the simple ritual of coffee, becoming a moment of beauty and meditation: the tasting of the unique illy blend merges with the sensory and conceptual journey proposed by the illy Art Collection, confirming illycaffè’s commitment to promoting science and beauty through the universal language of art.

The collection signed by John Armleder is available on the illy e-shop, in illy stores (illy Caffè and illy Shop), at leading retailers and through indirect e-commerce channels.