Italian ceramics

by

The Difference among Pottery, Ceramics and Majolica, with Special Regard to Italian Ceramics

Italian ceramics, or Italian pottery, have been in my life for quite a long time: I collect them, I read about them, I sell them.Sicilian Head Planter Vase by Ceramiche Sofia, a most skilled pottery maker from Caltagirone

In Italian, when I say ceramica, everybody understands what I mean. On the contrary, when I talk with one of my American friends, I’m always uncertain: should I say Italian pottery, Italian ceramics or Italian majolica?

In order to do away with any doubt, I did some research. I did learn quite a lot on the subject, and I would love to share my findings with you.

Let’s start with technicalities.

Here is a short review of the definition of the words Ceramics, Pottery and Majolica.

Once we know exactly what we are talking about, we will define what they really mean to people.

Continue reading →

by

Handmade Italian Ceramics: how to spot a fake

Learn how to tell if the Italian pottery you are considering purchasing is authentic.

Raffaellesco is one of the most faked Italian pottery designsBefore you close the deal of your life and pay an incredibly low price for what looks like a stunning piece of Deruta pottery, you may want to take a few minutes and learn how to spot fake Italian ceramics.

Lots of nice looking ceramic pieces are machine stamped and sold as original handmade Italian ceramics. Possibly from reputable regions, like Deruta.

Spotting fake Italian ceramics is possible and quite easy. Follow these simple steps.

Continue reading →

by

Riccardo Biavati – Poems, Dreams, Secrets and Tales

Until January 2011
Chiavari – Italy

Riccardo Biavati was born in 1950 in Ferrara. As a child, he loved to listen to the tales his grandfather invented for him. In an interview to Marialivia Brunelli he admitted that he never left the fairy world that he inhabited during his childhood. It’s a parallel world, where dreams come true and frogs, owls and blackbirds are familiar figures in the landscape. He calls them “his personal archaeology”, that he playfully combines with ancestral elements: the sun, the moon, the sea, wind, fire and, most importantly, mother earth.

Biavati’s works positively exude emotions and dreams. It’s part of their charm and you can’t help to feel light hearted and … smile.

“Poesie  Sogni  Segreti e Racconti”
Galleria d’Arte “Cristina Busi”  Chiavari
via Martiri della Liberazione 195/2 Chiavari (Genoa)
Ph. +39 0185 311937
Email: info@galleriacristinabusi.it

by

Evolution Art Revolution – Italian ceramic genius at work

Italian Ceramics - Evening dress "Nike of Samothrace" - Photo credits: Evolution Art RevolutionWe’ve already told you how /r/evolutionary this event aims to be. Today we’ll tell you more about one of the projects presented in the exhibition Evolution Art Revolution. It’s the innovative combination of fashion and ceramic, both strictly made in Italy.

Here is the story, a truly cute one.

Nicola Boccini is the key character. He is the founder of the CLS (Free Experimental Ceramics Association) and an extremely knowledgeable ceramicist, with a significant technical experience. He is very focused on new processes and techniques that add to the properties of ceramic, thus making it suitable for more functional purposes than the traditional ones. Continue reading →

by

Castellamonte – Italian ceramic exhibition 2010

Sept. 3rd – October 3rd, 2010
Castellamonte – Italy

Italian Pottery - Castellamonte - Italian ceramic exhibition 2010 - Work by Ugo Nespolo - Photo credits: www.comune.castellamonte.to.itThis year the event proudly celebrates its 50th birthday with many interesting exhibitions, all organized by Amedeo Sacco, also directing the local Museum of Ceramics.

The key location of the event is as usual Palazzo Botton, that will host a solo exhibition of Rachele Bianchi, sculptor and ceramicist, whose large works are a miracle of geometric poetry, and “The soul of the Earth”, a collective exhibition that offers an interesting overview on the evolution of art ceramics since the Seventies. The artists featured in this exhibition need no presentation: Arman, Paolo Echaurren, Giosetta Fioroni, Luisa Gardini, Nicolas Leiva, Aldo Mondino, Mimmo Paladino, Ettore Sottsass.

Continue reading →

by

Italian ceramic artists at the European Ceramic Context 2010

Sept. 11 – Nov. 7, 2010
Bornholm, Denmark

Italian Ceramics - Artwork by artist Martha Eugenia Pachon - Photo credits: flickr.comMartha Eugenia Pachon, Mirco Denicolò and Alessandro Neretti will represent Italian art ceramic at the European Ceramic Context 2010 held at the Bornholm Art Museum in Bornholm, Denmark.

The event includes two wide-ranging exhibitions, one for the Established Artists, titled Ceramic Art, and one for the New Talent, presenting the work of 110 artists from 30 European countries.
A selection committee of 4 members will make the final selection and assign the prizes.

Continue reading →

by

Castellamonte Ceramic Festival No 48

Sept. 5 – Oct 5, 2008
Castellamonte – Italy

Welcome to the presentation of a highly fueled edition of Castellamonte Festival of Ceramics #48, a must for the lovers of Italian ceramics!

Castellamonte Ceramic Festival © Vittorio Amedeo Sacco con permessoThe event, organized by Vittorio Amedeo Sacco, will include an amazing number of exhibitions: more than 1000 art works by renowned Italian and International ceramic artists will be featured in the streets and historical buildings of this charming town, not far from Turin (Piemonte).

Before going through the rich Festival official program, let’s briefly have a look at the history of Castellamonte, where pottery making has been one of the most important resources for 6000 years.

In the past Castellamonte residents were simply called “pignaté” (pottery makers) by their neighbors since most of the functional pottery used in the region was made here. Continue reading →