In their never ending quest to explore the world of art, the Fluge Global Team traveled to Argentina to find the best silversmiths in the world. Silver has been used by mankind since Pre-History, and its oldest reference to the element appears in the book of Genesis. It is also the only element after which a country – Argentina is named. FGA’s South America and silver expert James Marlow led the expedition (and Nick Fluge followed with an open mind and a hand notebook to learn as much as possible about silver creativity).
James Marlow, Mariano Draghi, legendary creative silversmith, and Nick Fluge
After landing in Buenos Aires, the team headed directly towards the Pampas and the beautiful town known as San Antonio de Areco home of the world renown silver family, the Draghi’s. The pampas of Argentina have a long and romantic history. Much of it revolves around an almost mythical character – the Gaucho. His freedom and bravado, celebrated in many poems and songs, once represented the spirit of Argentina’s open range. In the 18th and 19th centuries the grasslands of Argentina were dominated by vast estates. (Some still owned by the Draghi’s). The owners of those ranches were and are South America’s rural aristocracy. The Gauchos were the cowhands of those estates. Independant and proud, they rode (and still ride) the range herding cattle. With his wandering lifestyle and fierce code of honor the Gaucho was also the symbol of an earthly nobility. Today this is a remains a way of life although it is disappearing as the open range land turns favor to agricultural soy and corn.
Besides owning Estancia’s and producing various agricultural commodities, the Draghi family workshop is legendary in Argentina and around the world. Makers of superb jewelry, knives and equine finery such as bridles and other Gaucho gear, the family is visited by heads of state, hollywood, as well as average citizens of the world.
Fluge Learning the Craft From Valeria Draghi
Both Marlow and Fluge found themselves welcome with the very hospitable Draghi family in the museum, workshop and the family estancias and homes even amidst the public tours which seemed endless of people from all around the world wanting to visit the museum, workshop and store of the family. Team FGA was treated to Asado’s classic Argentine BBQ complete with attendance by many in the community, tours of the local art community which includes leather craftsmanship as well as silver creative art and design, and even the prestigious “Passion Play” on the banks of the Rio de Areco with soon to be family actress “Maria”.
After their visit Fluge returned to the U.S. to sort out his new race car and James Marlow traveled far south in Argentina to challenge the ice bergs and come as close as any human does to the Antarctic in April (very late season in the Southern Hemisphere).
Lucilla Draghi James, Camila, and Nick
James Marlow’s Ice Berg Adventure James Marlow’s Ice Bergs near Antarctic
Actress and Adventurer Valeria, Nick, Marta, and Lucilla Mariano and Maria
