Bob coscarelli, vintage and design

From the decadent Italian Renaissance to the storefront of Maxalto in Chicago, Lukas Machnik’s art showcase Envy encompasses the universal themes of desire and sin as part of a national promotion for Showtime network’s hit show “The Borgias.”

Machnik’s concept centers on the universal desire of those in power to want more, as did the Borgias when they rose to power through the papacy of the Catholic Church in the late 1400s. His extravagant design creates a modern cathedral for passersby with a large, red fluorescent cross dominating the center windows. Velvet ropes divide the space, creating a barrier of desire to be crossed.

Showtime collaborated with Vintage and Modern to create ten designer displays in cities across America with themes from the show. People can vote online for their favorite displays to be entered for an Italian getaway sweepstakes.

Machnik’s window display can be seen at B&B Italia/Maxalto, 309 West Superior St. Showtime’s “The Borgias” second season premieres Sunday, April 8, at 10pm.