The biennial event that has become a point of reference in Italy and beyond for contemporary national and international ceramic craftsmanship returns to the capital city of majolica. From August 30 to September 1, Faenza hosts Argillà Italia, a three-day full immersion to stroll along the streets of the center, browsing and shopping among the stands of over 200 ceramists from all over the world (50% foreign and 50% Italian), visiting the numerous exhibitions in public and private spaces of the city, participating in workshops, guided tours and meetings.
The Argillà Italia exhibition-market is organized by the Mic – International Museum of Ceramics of Faenza, together with the Municipality and in collaboration with AiCC – Italian Association of Ceramic Cities and Ente Ceramica Faenza. Argillà has reached its eighth edition. “The 2024 edition of Argillà promises to be a truly unique event also due to the presence of delegations representing foreign countries and Italian ceramic cities that will make the event a unique opportunity to compare different experiences and skills – comments Massimo Isola, mayor of Faenza -. Argillà, therefore, from this aspect will undoubtedly be an important platform to foster dialogue and collaboration between the different players in the ceramic world, making Faenza assume the role of a fundamental reference city in the panorama of the large international ceramic network. The 2024 edition of Argillà will also contribute to strengthening Faenza’s role as a leading city in the ceramic sector at an international level, and this after the difficult years of Covid and the 2022 edition which was still affected by international tensions”.
Many events and numerous international guests
There are numerous spectacular events, through which you can admire the creative process of ceramics: the Mondial Tornianti, the exciting lathe competition in which potter from all over the world will participate, Thomas Benirschke with his Argi-bike; Emidio Galassi with a ceramic firing performance, a large spectacular outdoor oven, designed and coordinated by the group “MADE in NOVE: ante impression” that will try its hand at an experimental wood-fired ceramic firing.
The Baltics are the guests of honor of this edition and will be present at the Sala Cento Pacifici of the Teatro Masini with a large collective of contemporary artists who work with ceramics curated by a team of curators composed of the Latvians Valentins Petjko, Aivars Boranovis, Darja Smirnova, Inga Gedzune, the Lithuanian Agne Semberaite and the Estonian Pille Kaleviste.
The upcoming exhibitions
There will be about fifteen official exhibitions scheduled, involving the main exhibition spaces of the city, important events to reflect on the state of the most innovative research in ceramic craftsmanship between art and design in Europe and to learn about the tradition of historic manufacturers.
At the Ridotto and Foyer of the Teatro Masini you can see the Japanese group Kyototto with an exhibition of unique pieces that combine tradition and innovation and contemporary trends and from India the exhibition “Golden Bridge Pottery”, a personal exhibition of the Albisola master Ernesto Canepa with a 45-year career behind him, an exhibition of design objects by the Milanese group “Milano Makers” and finally the exhibition Primedicopertina, with the ceramic works published in the last two years on the covers of the magazines La Ceramica Moderna & Antica and D’A.
At the Palazzo del Podestà an exhibition organized by the European Route of Ceramics – Strada europea della Ceramica, a project curated by Viola Emaldi, a journey into the world of European artistic artisan ceramics, through the collections and unique works of the partners of the prestigious cultural itinerary of the Council of Europe: a tribute to the best contemporary applied art ceramics Made in Europe. At the Salone delle Bandiere you can admire two projects: the first entitled “Poloniato/Polloniato – a family of ceramists in Nove” which tells the story of the ceramic results created by several generations of members of the Poloniato/Polloniato families who over the last century have worked for various manufacturers such as the Antonibons, the Barettonis and the Vieros of Nove; the second curated by the Korea Women Ceramist Association. At the Galleria della Molinella Matteo Zauli and Claudia Casali will set up an exhibition related to the flood of May 2023. Spazio Ceramica will host the exhibition “Interra project” curated by Nuria Pozas Corredera: 13 contemporary ceramic artists revisit the funerary art in ceramics in the past, present and future from 13 different perspectives. Studio Ivo Sassi will open its doors with a solo exhibition of the master from Faenza entitled “I grossi Spessori di Ivo Sassi”. Must will inaugurate “Figulinae” by Karin Putsch-Grassi, a stoneware column created by the artist Karin Putsch-Grassi, recently installed in the garden of the Museum which will become part of the Permanent Collection of Contemporary Art. The Diocesan Museum in the Santa Maria dell’Angelo site will host a solo exhibition dedicated to the long ceramic career of Mirta Morigi and an exhibition of Antonello Ghezzi.
The museums of Faenza will be open with exhibitions and guided tours: at the MIC Faenza it will be possible to visit the permanent collection with a reduced ticket and admire the exhibitions “Gio Ponti 1922 to 1967” with over two hundred ceramics by the master inventor of Made in Italy and “The art of Simone Crespi” at the Project Room; the Carlo Zauli Museum will host an exhibition of the Bartoloni artistic ceramics and a performance by Resmini; the Pinacoteca Comunale, the Museo del Risorgimento and Palazzo Muky Matteucci will have extraordinary openings in the evening, the Guerrino Tramonti Museum will propose “Ceramic collections from the Remo Brindisi house museum”: a selection of works from the Brindisi collection that testify to the friendship between Guerrino Tramonti and Remo Brindisi. Palazzo Milzetti will host an exhibition curated by Gulli Arte and will activate extraordinary openings. The Bendandi Museum will host the exhibition “A vertical art for Bendandi”. Finally, ISIA Faenza will also be present with the end-of-year student exhibition, Liceo Torricelli Ballardini with a tribute to Bertozzi&Casoni and Teatro Masini will be open with guided tours during the three days of the event.
There will be no shortage of collateral events proposed on the free initiative of private individuals who will exceptionally open their studios, courtyards and houses in the city to the public.
Opening hours: Friday 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm. For information: 0546 697311, [email protected], www.argilla-italia.it.
