The events of the program present competitively selected artists from all over the world and an invited Alex Reed – a delegation of ceramicists from one country. However, this year special attention was paid not to one, but to all three Baltic countries and their “Baltic Connections” exhibition.
The historic Italian city is the center of attraction for the world’s ceramicists
Table of Contents
- 1 The historic Italian city is the center of attraction for the world’s ceramicists
- 2 The benchmark of Faenza: from “unattainable” in the Soviet era to the main focus of the Baltic countries
- 3 Museum director Claudia Casali: Baltic ceramics exude the poetics of contemporary art
- 4 Here are some PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title: **The Prestigious Faenza Prize: A Benchmark for Ceramic Artists Worldwide**:
The origins of Faenza’s ceramic tradition date back even to the Roman Empire. However, in the Middle Ages, especially during the Renaissance, the craftsmen living here turned the city into a real center of ceramics production in Europe. To this day, the city is famous for its distinctive majolica technology popularized in ancient times and the name faience. And since 1938, one of the most prestigious European biennials, the Faenza Prize.
The Faenza International Museum of Ceramics, which organizes the biennale, has perhaps the largest and oldest collection of this applied art in Europe, where you can discover the works of Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso. In 2008, the museum started organizing the “Argilla Italia” festival, where it could present the field of ceramics in various event formats.
The festival also takes place every two years so as not to compete with the biennial concept. During it, a huge fair is opened in the central streets of the city, where visitors have the opportunity to get to know both highly skilled craftsmen and representatives of professional art. More events take place during the festival – various exhibitions, creative workshops, discussion forums, technological demonstrations. This year, the audience could meet more than 200 participants who came not only from different regions of Italy and the Baltic, but also from Japan, France, Spain, Slovenia, Germany, Canada, Chile and Brazil.
The benchmark of Faenza: from “unattainable” in the Soviet era to the main focus of the Baltic countries
According to Agnė Šemberaitė, chairwoman of the LDS Vilnius ceramics section and one of the curators of “Baltic Connections”, it was a great honor to enter the festival in Faenza in such a representative format, because previously the name of the city was associated with an unattainable professional dream for Lithuanian authors. In just three days, 30,000 spectators visited the spaces of the Ridotto del Teatro Masini, where the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian exhibition was presented.
Organizers’ photo/Ceramics Festival “Argilla Italia”
“During the Soviet era, it was very difficult to participate in the biennale. The works selected by the Lithuanian commission were sent to Moscow, where they also waited for approval. Sometimes in Moscow, the works were specially beaten to make them “non-technological” and could no longer be sent to Italy. After receiving the catalogs, the participating authors, as the artist Nora Blaževičiūtė recalled, turned them over hundreds of times and kept them very safe. It was a window to another art, a free world”, said A. Šemberaitė.
This year, 20 authors from each country participated in the “Baltic Connections” festival exhibition, selected by Latvian curators Aivars Baranovskis and Valentins Petjko, Estonian – Pille Kaleviste, and the aforementioned A. Šemberaitė. The Baltic region was constantly emphasized and dominated in various discussion forums. According to the curator representing Lithuanians, the ceramicists received compliments even from Faenza artists who rarely give compliments.
Museum director Claudia Casali: Baltic ceramics exude the poetics of contemporary art
Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Center in Latvia is one of the main organizers, connecting and representing the Baltic countries widely in the world. His representative A. Baranovskis said that the exhibition concept tried to reveal the following connections:
“The artists’ works reflected the relationship between nature and man, the artist and the materials he used, as well as between the peoples of the Baltic countries. Designers have explored innovative forms and conceptual expressions inspired by our rich cultural heritage. This exhibition of works highlights creativity, the spirit of long-term cultural interaction.”
According to Claudia Casali, director of the Faenza International Museum of Ceramics, she got to know the art of Baltic ceramics in depth for the first time at the Contemporary Ceramics Center of Latvia:
“Thanks to the amazing efforts of the artists, these archaic materials from the field of art have become a means of expression of diverse contemporary poetics, which in the exhibition Baltic Connections is expertly emphasized. Three countries with different histories and traditions revealed common expressions of surprising connections. Sincere thanks to the curators who told this unique and picturesque story about a truly unique modernity in ceramic art.”
Artists representing Lithuania: Eugenijus Čibinskas, Konstancija Dzimidavičienė, Eglė Einikytė-Narkevičienė, Monika Gedrimaitė, Dalia Gineitė, Dalia Jakimavičienė, Audrius Janušoniė, Jurgita Jasinskaitė, Ramutė Juršienė, Rasa Justaitė-Gecevičienė, Vida Juškaitė, Beatričė Kelerienė, Valdas Kurklietis, Jolanta Kvašytė. Jovita Laurušaitė, Laimutė Matijošaitytė-Martinkienė, Milena Pirštelienė, Egidijus Radvenskas, Agnė Šemberaitė, Rūta Šipalytė.
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2024-09-11 15:57:29
The Prestigious Faenza Prize: A Benchmark for Ceramic Artists Worldwide
The historic Italian city of Faenza has been the epicenter of ceramic art for centuries. With a rich tradition dating back to the Roman Empire, Faenza has evolved into a renowned hub for ceramic production in Europe. Since 1938, the city has been hosting one of the most prestigious European biennials, the Faenza Prize, which attracts ceramic artists from around the world.
The Faenza International Museum of Ceramics
The Faenza International Museum of Ceramics, which organizes the biennale, boasts an impressive collection of ceramic art, featuring works by renowned artists such as Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, and Pablo Picasso. The museum’s collection is one of the largest and oldest in Europe, making it a must-visit destination for ceramic enthusiasts.
The “Argilla Italia” Festival
In 2008, the museum launched the “Argilla Italia” festival, which takes place every two years, alternating with the biennial concept. The festival offers a unique opportunity for visitors to discover the diverse world of ceramics, featuring exhibitions, creative workshops, discussion forums, and technological demonstrations. This year’s festival saw over 200 participants from Italy, the Baltic countries, Japan, France, Spain, Slovenia, Germany, Canada, Chile, and Brazil.
The 62nd Faenza Prize
The 62nd Faenza Prize, also known as the MIC 62nd Faenza Prize, is a highly acclaimed international biennial of contemporary ceramic art. The prize is awarded to ceramic artists who showcase exceptional skill and creativity in their work. According to [1], Yves Malfliet was announced as the winner of the 62nd Faenza Prize, while [2] reveals that Anja Seiler participated in the 62nd Faenza Biennale Exhibition. The exhibition, which opened on July 1, 2023, features a selection of works by ceramic artists from around the world [3].
The Baltic Connection
This year, the festival paid special attention to the three Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, with their “Baltic Connections” exhibition. According to Agnė Šemberaitė, chairwoman of the LDS Vilnius ceramics section and one of the curators of “Baltic Connections,” it was an honor to participate in the festival in such a representative format, as Faenza had previously been considered an unattainable professional dream for Lithuanian authors. The exhibition attracted an impressive 30,000 visitors in just three days, solidifying the Baltic countries’ presence in the world of ceramic art.
the Faenza Prize and the “Argilla Italia” festival are highly respected events in the world of ceramic art, attracting artists and enthusiasts from around the globe. The city of Faenza continues to be a benchmark for ceramic artists, offering a platform for creative expression, innovation, and cultural exchange.
References:
[1] https://sofievandenbussche.be/fr/yves-malfliet-remporte-le-62eme-prix-de-faenza-la-biennale-internationale-dart-ceramique-contemporain/
[2] https://www.anjaseiler.com/11357115/mic-62nd-faenza-prize
[3] https://artsupp.com/en/faenza/exhibitions/62-premio-faenza-mic-museo-internazionale-delle-ceramiche
