In Faenza from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, more than 200 exhibitors and 90 events to discover ceramics from around the world among crafts, art and design, tradition and innovation
More than two hundred potters and technical operators from twenty-nine countries around the world, from South America to Poland, Estonia to Japan, are meeting Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 in Faenza for the eighth edition of Argillà Italia, one of the main festivals and market exhibition of ceramics at the European level organized by the International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza on behalf of and in collaboration with the Municipality of Faenza itself A special weekend where ceramics will be the undisputed protagonist in one of the most important cities in Europe of ceramics for tradition and contemporaneity.
More than ninety events will accompany visitors to touch, learn about and experience, firsthand, one of the oldest arts in the world.
So it will be possible to browse and shop among the stands, visit exhibitions, but also participate in workshops for children, workshops, meetings, conferences, watch spectacular demonstrations of shaping, firing and contemporary art performances or visit the city’s Museums and monuments that will make extraordinary openings and in some cases guided tours In its sixteenth year, Argillà Italia has become a point of reference for the sector throughout Europe, a moment of reflection and analysis on the future of ceramic craftsmanship always poised between art and design.
Thus the official program of exhibitions and collateral events-provides a diverse proposal between innovation and tradition, with the collaboration of the main institutions and associations in the city dealing with ceramics, art and education.
There are as many as thirty official exhibitions, thirty-four off exhibitions, more than twenty-five events including concerts, lectures, workshops, screenings, sake tastings, tea ceremonies, kintsugi demonstrations and guided tours.
Special attention has been paid to productions from the Baltic countries, which have been chosen as guest countries this year and will be present with some 20 exhibitors at the market exhibition and a rich exhibition at the Masini Theater entitled “Baltic Connections” (opening Aug. 30, 11 a.m.) curated by Valentins Petjko (Latvia), Aivars Baranovskis (Latvia), Agne Šemberaitė (Lithuania), and Pille Kaleviste (Estonia) showcasing the works of more than sixty artists to offer a glimpse of the vibrant contemporary ceramic scene in the Baltic countries.
Through a shared passion for storytelling and a deep connection to their craft, these artists explore a myriad of themes, experimenting with innovative forms and up to conceptual expressions.
Argillà is a great festival to discover ceramics by walking through the streets of Faenza’s historic center, also delving into courtyards and private spaces that, only on this occasion, open their doors to the public thanks to the many spontaneous proposals of the Argillà OFF circuit of exhibitions, concerts and openings up to the spectacular events organized in the city’s main squares through which the creative process of ceramics can be admired.
In this direction, not to be missed is the Mondial Tornianti, the exciting potter’s wheel competition in which potters from all over the world will participate in the new location in front of the Cathedral; Thomas Benirschke with his Pottery Bicycle Argi-bike; Davide Brini with the Magic Lathe; Emidio Galassi with a ceramic kiln performance; and the large outdoor spectacular kiln designed and coordinated by the “MADE in NOVE: ante impression” group that will try its hand at experimental wood-fired ceramics firing. The opening ceremony of the exhibition market is Aug. 30, at 4 p.m., in front of the MIC in Faenza (Viale Baccarini 19). THE OFFICIAL EXHIBITIONS / Inaugurations The official circuit openings kick off as early as Wednesday, Aug. 28, but all exhibitions can be visited during the Argillà period, in some cases even afterwards.
It begins on Wednesday, August 28, at 5 p.m. at the Ivo Sassi House Museum, with the opening of the exhibition “Ivo Sassi’s Big Thicknesses,” which displays large circles and panels that are evidence of the Faenza-based sculptor’s ongoing technical research and experimentation.
It continues at 5:30 p.m. at ISIA Faenza with the inauguration of three exhibition projects, “Faenza Mia, Faenza Mia, Faenza Mia” curated by Alessandro Gori with coordination by Daniela Lotta.
The project sees the collaboration of Ente ceramica’s ceramists with ISIA students and is conceived as a game of Chinese boxes, multiple focuses that change depending on the viewer’s point of view, without giving any of them a defined prominence; then “Ceramica Virtuosa” curated by Sabrina Sguanci with technical coordination by Mirco Denicolò and “Solchi dell’Appenino” by Enrico Versari.
At 6 p.m., we move to the Salone delle Bandiere with “Poloniato/Polloniato – A Family of Potters in Nove.”
The exhibition recounts the ceramic achievements made by several generations of members of the Poloniato/Polloniato families in the last century and traces through a careful selection of works the decorative and plastic activity in the artisanal sphere, particularly in relation to the Barettoni manufactory, formerly Antonibon, but also more recent artistic research.
Also at the Salone delle Bandiere, “Cerartotto” curated by the Korea Women Ceramist Association will be inaugurated at the same time .
Finally, at 7 p.m., last opening of the day with the exhibition “Beyond the Mud” curated by Claudia Casali and Matteo Zauli, which displays works by artists related to the flood that hit Romagna in May 2023. On display are works by Maria Laura Argnani, Cristina Bagnara, Francesco and Marco Bondi, Wei Bao, Richard Betti, Silvia Camporesi, Andrea Salvatori, Ivo Sassi, Guerrino Tramonti and Carlo Zauli. At 8 p.m., “Post Fata Resurgo – works by Luciano Samorè” at the Torricelli Catholic Meeting. Thursday, Aug. 29 , begins at 11 a.m. at the Church of Santa Maria dell’Angelo with a preview of two projects.
The first is ” Chaos and its opposite.
Animated matter: morphogenesis Morigi, the fiftieth anniversary.” curated by Giovanni Gardini, which celebrates the work of Mirta Morigi and her historic, all-female workshop in Faenza.
The knowledge of the hands combined with the wisdom of the heart, understood as free and lively creative expression, have made her work as original as ever and capable of continual wonder.
The second, also curated by Giovanni Gardini is entitled “The House of the Milky Way” with works by Antonello Ghezzi.
At 6 p.m., organized by the European Route of Ceramics – in a context of international scope also due to the presence of the many representatives of the Route, which will hold its General Assembly in Faenza that same afternoon – at the Palazzo del Podestà, opening of the exhibition “Ceramics at the Palace, contemporary visions on European high artistic craftsmanship,” curated by Viola Emaldi.
A journey into the world of European artistic craft ceramics, through the collections and unique works of the partners of the Council of Europe’s prestigious cultural itinerary: a tribute to the best contemporary applied art ceramics Made in Europe.
On Aug. 30, at 11 a.m., all exhibitions set up at the Ridotto and Foyer of the Masini Theater open.
In addition to the Baltics exhibit, they open “Potters from India” byGolden Bridge Pottery, which was founded by Deborah Smith and Ray Meeker in 1971 and has been producing functional wood-fired stoneware ever since.
Ray experiments with building houses out of fired clay in situ and masterfully creates monumental ceramic sculptures and collaborates with students from around the world, the exhibition
“Possibility” of unique pieces by the Japanese group
Kyototto that combine tradition and innovation with contemporary trends , “50 years of ceramic art and design.” a solo exhibition of the master from Albisola Ernesto Canepa With a long career behind him; “On the Banks of the Lamone. : an interweaving of pottery and marsh grasses” by Milan Makers, in collaboration with Bagnacavallo’s Museo delle Erbe Palustri and ceramist Maria Elena Boschi, under the artistic direction of Maria Christina Hamel, which relates Faenza’s celebrated pottery, formerly made with clay from the Lamone River, to the marsh grasses that grow along its banks; and finally the exhibition “Primedicopertina, with ceramic works published in the last two years on the covers of the magazines La Ceramica Moderna & Antica and D’A.
At 6 p.m. at Palazzo Milzetti, the exhibition ” Beyond the Neoclassical.
Kéramos “.
The exhibition, promoted by GULLIarte, is presented by Domenico Iaracà and is produced in collaboration with MIC Faenza and exhibits large-scale sculptures and ceramic panels by Sandro Lorenzini, Marian Heyerdahl, Ole Lislerud and Renza Sciutto in dialogue with the decorations by Felice Giani and his collaborators.
Lastly, at 7:30 p.m., the exhibition “Ceramic Collections from Casa Museo Remo Brindisi” opens at the Guerrino Tramonti Museum with works from the Lido di Spina collection that testify to the constant dialogue between the two friends in the past. On Aug. 31, at 10 a.m., at MUST – Territory Sector Museum the opening of “Figulinae” by Karin Putsch-Grassi.
A column of hers recently became part of MUST and will be officially opened as part of Argillà.
The work consists of turned vessels, which are connected and compressed into outlined forms, resulting in a “formlessness put into form.”
The compressions unite a plurality of individual entities, the vases.
At 11 a.m. we move to the Diocesan Museum with the ribbon-cutting of “Orthographies of Grammar” curated by Giovanni Gardini and Claudia Casali with works by Nicola Boccini, Marino Ficola, Nicola Renzi.
At 12 noon, Spazio Ceramica Faenza is the venue for the “Interra project” exhibition curated by Nuria Pozas Corredera.
At 5 p.m., the Raffaello Bendandi House Museum inaugurates “An Art in Scale for Bendandi.”
At 6 p.m. we move to the Carlo Zauli Museum for the unveiling in the garden of the sculpture “Am plexus” by mCLp Studio: a vase that contains a Tillandsia plant, lets the winds pass through it and protects a body of water the nourishment for its plant heart.
The work explores and is a manifestation of continuous and minimal gestures of care, of possible tensions and balances.
The plant must be cared for as ideas must be cared for.
Kelly Newcomer’s “Technology and Mother Earth, “ made in collaboration with Esperienza Italia, will be opened concurrently at the Zauli Museum. Newcomer, based in Minneapolis, is exhibiting some of the works made at the Zauli Museum during an exchange and residency project and “Immersions,” a solo exhibition by Patrizio Bartoloni featuring objects and sculptures that are the result of continuous experimentation in which knowledge, practices and cultural atmospheres are inserted into visions typical of contemporary art.
Some works are created in collaboration with Dalila Innocenti and Maria Palmieri.
OTHER EXHIBITS SCHEDULED /inaugurations Argillà OFF.
THURSDAY, Aug. 29 at Bottega Bertaccini from 4 p.m. “Intimate Perceptions” with works by Aida Bertozzi and Tiziana Del Vecchio; from 4 p.m., at Studio Lemure “Sorsi d’Arte 2024 interweaving earth and flavors” FRIDAY, Aug. 30 at Liceo Torricelli Ballardini “Bertozzi & Casoni from school artifacts to current production” from 3 p.m.; from 5 p.m. Borgo Durbecco headquarters “Ceramica Futuro”; at Fontanone – Rotonda F. Lama “Ceramica Faentina Rest in peace” curated by Fatti d’Arte; from 6 p.m. “Brutal Toys” by Marco Ceroni at Ceroki Lab Shop; from 6 p.m. “Fragilissimo” at Latte Project Space; from 6:30 p.m. at Circolo Prometeo “Bricks of Sisterhood”; from 7 p.m. at Nove100 exhibitions by Marina Rodriguez and Piefrancesco Solimene; from 8 p.m. “Salon des Refuses” at Another Fucking Gallery.
SATURDAY, Aug. 31
at 11 a.m. Studio Calycanthus exhibition by Evandro Gabrielli; from 11 a.m. Hotel Vittoria exhibition by Bruno Grisolia; from 12 noon Spazio Ente Ceramica exhibition “Interra Project”; from 3 to 7 p.m. “Cat Ceramic Art Tour” traveling openings starting at FACC headquarters (Square II June; 5 p.m.) hosting two exhibitions “Fortune Street no. Infinite” by Marianna Limarova and “A Trick of prospective” by Giulia Guerra, to continue at 4 p.m. at Via Emiliani 2 with the exhibition “Future Archeologies 2049” by Virginia San Fratello, at 5 p.m. at Bottega Bertaccini with “Intimate Perceptions,” and at 6 p.m. at 12 Severoli Street with “Orange is the new green” by Elizabeth Dychter; the exhibitions deal with different aspects of ceramics from sculpture to 3d ceramics and will be an expression of the research work the artists have done during their artistic residencies in Faenza.
During market hours, the following will be present: Gio Urbinati and Cecilia Coppola at Museo del Risorgimento; Fornaci di Samminiatello with clay manipulation; Exhibition space at Voltone Molinella exhibition by Alfonso Leoni; Antonietta Mazzotti at Palazzo Zauli Naldi; “Ritrovamenti” by Christian Cimatti; “Vegetale Umano” at Polaris Edizioni headquarters; “Terrargilla” at Rione Verde; Palazzo Colafiglio Sansoni exhibitions by Naidee and Made in Nove; Ceramics in the historic gardens of Vittoria Monti, Via Castellani 21, at Piazza della Libertà presentation of the project “Repairing with Gold. Taking care of one’s wounds” by Ana Hillar and Monia Scarpa, with MIC Faenza and Family Service of the Union of Romagna Faentina.
GUIDED TOURS AND EXTRAORDINARY OPENINGSSomemuseums will hold special openings and guided tours. MIC Faenza, during Argillà days, will be open extraordinarily until 8 p.m. with reduced admission for all and guided tours of the exhibition by
Gio Ponti (Saturday, Aug. 31, 12 noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 4 p.m. and Sept. 1, 12 p.m.), the exhibition
“The Art of Simone Crespi” and a new exhibit in the Europa Hall entitled ”
Contemporary Pills” displaying works by international authors selected from the various editions of the Faenza Prize in the last four decades, the Town Art Gallery Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1 (11 a.m.) offers two special guided tours through a thematic itinerary dedicated to ceramics and its presence in the wonderful works of Faenza’s 16th century, Muky Palace Will be open for evening visitation from 7 to 9 p.m., Aug. 31 (10 a.m.) the Carlo Zauli Museum proposes a guided bike tour discovering ceramic studios that have become artists’ museums and also the Masini Theater will be open with guided tours (Aug. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.).
EVENTS and talks
THURSDAY, Aug. 29 At the Philodramatic Theater meeting “Hands in dough. Art Therapy” 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY 30 August Bigari Hall meeting “The applied arts and Guerrino Tramonti, a topical example” from 9 to 11 a.m.; 8:30 p.m. concert by the Sarti School at the Church of Santa Maria dell’Angelo SATURDAY, Aug. 31 at Palazzo Milzetti conference “Le Case Museo 2.0” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; at 11 a.m. at Liceo Torricelli Ballardini Talk by Diego Galizzi and Paolo Bertozzi; 11 a.m. Cortile Morigi “Making Community by Riding a Lathe” and 6 p.m. concert “Ti racconto di lei.”
At 7 p.m. in the MIC Conference Room in Faenza, “The Undergrowth” biographical film on Giovanni Poggi, a historic Albisolese ceramist still in business, will be shown. SUNDAY, Sept. 1 in Sala Bigari (10:30 a.m.) presentation of the guidebook “Villa Case Grandi. Park – Villa – Oratory – Ferniani Ceramic Museum” (publisher La Mandragora) edited by Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti with the collaboration of Marcella Vitali.
In addition to the authors, speakers include Oliva Rucellai of the Richard Ginori Archives and Daniele Pascale Guidotti Magnani of the Department of Architecture, University of Bologna.
Opening hours of the market exhibition Aug. 30, 4-10 p.m.; Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Full calendar at https://2024.argilla-italia.it/ Info: 0546697311, argilla@micfaenza.org MIC Faenza Press OfficeStefaniaMazzotti0546697301,3391228409, ufficiostampa@micfaenza.org
