First Biennial of Contemporary Ceramic Art

Until June 24, 2012
Frascati – Italy

The exhibition, the first of many to come I’m sure, is hosted in the former stables of Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati. Recently  transformed into a museum, the16th century building is just perfect to display contemporary ceramic art.

I visited it last Sunday and although my expectations were very high because I already knew the work of some of the artists, at least thru some pictures, I still was surprised to find how good, meaningful and diverse the exhibition is and how it succeeds in capturing the current trends of Italian ceramic art.

I was happy to meet Jasmine Pignatelli, whose giant sized seeds and roots – thriving elements of a vital and raped world – I had always admired but never quite understood from the cold screen of my computer.

The 13 artists who contributed to this wonderful initiative are Silvia Calcagno, Elettra Cipriani, Guido De Zan, Fabrizio Dusi, Marino Ficola, Antonio Grieco, Annalisa Guerri, Massimo Luccioli, Rita Miranda, Riccardo Monachesi, Simone Negri, Jasmine Pignatelli and Sprout.
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Franco Meneguzzo – Unique vs series artworks 1951- 1962

Until May 12, 2012
Turin, Italy

Italian Ceramics - The gauntlet and the challenge, 1959Twenty ceramic works by a major Italian ceramic artist and a subject that became a very hot in the Sixties and still is: art and design, unique artwork and serial production.

Franco Meneguzzo stated his point thru his work. He challenged traditional boundaries between art and design and opened to a limited edition of some of his works. A strong believer of the value of craftsmanship and “ownership” he personally followed all the production steps of his pieces, making sure that the end result was in no way different from his project.

Terre d’Arte Gallery hosts a prominent selection of Meneguzzo’s works between 1951 and 1962. A great opportunity to see side by side unique and limited edition pieces and … try to spot the difference.

Franco Meneguzzo – L’unico e la Serie, Ceramiche 1951- 1962
Galleria Terre d’Arte
Via Maria Vittoria 20/A, Torino
Ph: +39 011 19503453
Email: info@terredarte.net

Meeting Italian ceramic artists: Mirna Manni

I met Mirna Manni last year, in Tuscania. I was there for an art exhibition and she was briefly introduced to me as the co-owner of the gallery and a ceramic artist, an information that – of course! –triggered my interest.

Small talk is not among my qualities, so I immediately asked her about her work. Her posture changed, her eyes lit and Mirna the charming lady gave way to Mirna the artist who bewitched me with her contagious passion for clay and her astonishing technical knowledge.

Following our conversation she sent me some pictures of her works, which I found absolutely interesting. Still I was hesitant to write an article about Mirna without having actually seen her pieces, which I longed to do, by the way. The announcement of her new solo exhibition in Tuscania unclenched my silent hurray! Continue reading

Giuliano Giganti – To Rebuild a Man

October 2-23, 2011
Gubbio, Italy

Giuliano Giganti is one of those artists who have a clear perception of the perpetual changes occurring around them and their impact on our fragility.

The man he describes in his work is weak and confused, his values shattered. He has lost his balance. There is no way back. A new system of values, new ideals are necessary. Giuliani discreetly suggests to follow the path of simplicity, of nature: a well plowed soil and fertile seeds are the humble yet essential ingredients for a healthy crop.

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Giacomo Alessi – 50 Ceramic Sculptures in London

Sept. 28 – Oct. 11, 2001
London, UK

Giacomo Alessi’s work celebrates the glorious past of Sicilian ceramics while going for its renewal.
A deep understanding of Caltagirone’s millennial tradition of pottery making combined with a profound love for the complex and fascinating art of creating a meaningful something out of wet clay is the secret of Alessi’s sculptures.

Along with his handcrafted production – famous throughout the world – Giacomo Alessi has also been making his own “private” works. He takes pride, rightful pride, in showing his collection to a few privileged friends. But art cannot be concealed or silenced… his visitors spread the news and Giacomo has rapidly won international recognition.

Manuela and I met Giacomo Alessi in Caltagirone in 2007. We were starting our fine Italian ceramics web store and Giacomo was probably the very first artist we invited to join our project. A hesitant “let’s try…” was enough for us to fly to Sicily and visit him in his workshop. Continue reading

Todi – Summer & Wiese – We were there

Sept. 4 – Oct. 30, 2011
Todi, Italy

The exhibition featuring the works of Roland Summer and Christina Wiese opened last Sunday and we were there to meet the artists.

The Ab Ovo Gallery truly deserves a round of applause for a job well done. Not only are they introducing to the Italian public the work of two artists with an excellent International reputation, but the quality and quantity of the pieces on display is outstanding.

Meeting Roland and Christina was so special.

Roland told us about the pottery making techniques of ancient cultures and how he used them to achieve the result he wanted. The process he invented, called Lost Glaze, is time consuming, with a high degree of unpredictability and may lead to many failures along the way. Yet, the formal perfection of his pieces is astonishing.

Christina‘s work is completely different. As Roland put it, whereas his vases are empty, Christina’s pieces are full… And it’s absolutely true!

Plenty of symbols merge in her celebrated vessels. She makes them adding to a hand molded hull many small objects that she collects during her walks in the countryside or when travelling. Each object, she said, has a story to tell: someone used it, loved it, lost it. When she decides to pick it up and to use it for her ships, the object becomes a part of something that is entirely new and a new cycle begins. By definition, each vessel is unique, just like our life journey.

Her attraction for symbols and for “fullness” has also inspired her “symbolons”. Solid shapes, made of two or more pieces, that enclose small treasures: a stone, a feather, a piece of an ancient Chinese vase…

Summer & Wiese
Ab Ovo Gallery
Via del Forno 4, Todi (Perugia)
Ph. 075 8945526
Email: info@abovogallery.com

Torino 2011 – Risorgimento and Italian art ceramics

I’ve just come back from a week in Turin. I immensely enjoyed the city. It’s lively, friendly, easy going and there is so much happening. Apparently the city administration decided to step change the image of Turin when the place hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006 and has never stopped investing in culture and quality events. Even more so this year, 2011, the year of Italy’s 150th anniversary.

Italian flags were waving from all the balconies, softening the severe look of Turin’s ancient building and giving to the whole place a festive look. Each museum and city attraction had organized its own special event to celebrate the Risorgimento, the political and military movement that led to the unification of Italy, and the city key role in its success.

To make the most out of my days in Turin I had a carefully planned out schedule, a balanced mix of art, sightseeing and good food (of course!). And when it comes to art, ceramics are always on top of my mind! Here you go: a short but juicy report of Italian pottery in Turin 2011.

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Gian Genta – Ou allez-vous, la belle?

Until Sept. 5th, 2011
Sanremo, Italy

Forty pieces made in the last five years to represent the true engine of our being: women. Essential, elegantly decorated, charmingly archaic women.

Creatively exuberant, expressionist, primitive and, more than everything else, deeply truthful,
Gian Genta is a self made artist who has always, stubbornly, refused academic principles, managing to be faithful only to his own inspiration.

During the Sixties and the Seventies he was part of the prominent group of Italian artists who met in Albisola. Particularly attracted by the works of Sassu, Fabbri e Fontana, he made friends also with Lam, Jorn, Rossello, Salino, Siri, Sabatelli, Bonelli.

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Alessandro Kokocinski – Earth and Fire

August 6 – Sept. 10, 2011
Montefalco – Italy

Make sure to save the date because this exhibition is not to be missed.

Alessandro Kokocinski is a powerful interpreter of the human soul, of its spiritual tensions and longings. His works exude pathos and drama: every feeling is allowed, except indifference.

The Russian fantastic world, the Latin America passion and realism, the 17th century Italian chiaroscuro blend in his paintings and surface from his sculptures, creating a wave of energy that grabs the staring viewer without any warning.

This exhibition will focus on the artist’s terracotta sculptures. The Bontadosi Art Gallery will host most of the works, but one, the large terracotta installation known as “Jacob’s ladder”, that will be set in the wonderful scenario of the former Church of Santa Maria in Piazza.

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