The “Homo Faber” exhibition at the Cini Foundation hosts the collections of fine ceramics and fabrics created in the residences of Bitti and Samugheo
Ceramics and fabrics of Sardinian artistic craftsmanship from today on display at the Cini Foundation in Venice. ArtiJanus / ArtiJanas, the experimental project of culture of design and craftsmanship promoted and supported by the Foundation of Sardinia, with the scientific and artistic direction of Triennale Milano, the operational direction of Innois, the collaboration of the Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte Foundation and the organizational management of Tools will be present at “Homo Faber: Crafting a More Human Future” until May 1st with some pieces from the collections of high craftsmanship in the ceramic and textile sectors. The curatorial team of Homo Faber, and in particular Jean Blanchaert and Stefano Boeri (curators of the “Next of Europe” exhibition), selected some pieces created during the residencies dedicated to artistic craftsmanship and contemporary design in spring 2021 and which saw the creative and productive collaboration of the designers Giorgia Zanellato and Daniele Bortotto with the artisan company Terrapintada di Bitti for ceramics and Serena Confalonieri with the artisan Tessile M & Dusa di Samugheo for weaving. Together they have created small collections, each for its own sector of reference, capable of combining functionality and symbolic meaning and allowing a reinterpretation of the precious textures of the Sardinian territory, strongly supporting and promoting gentle, sustainable and ethical innovation.
In the laboratory of Terrapintada “Terre” was designed and built, a collection made up of 5 vases, called with the number from one to five in the Sardinian language, which are inspired by some iconic objects of Sardinian culture: the filigree button, the basket of the bride’s trousseau, the skirt of a traditional costume and again the carasau bread, which suggested a sophisticated reinterpretation in a contemporary key of objects and expressions of the local material culture. In the M & Dusa Textile laboratory “Barbagia” was born, an original textile collection consisting of three cushions of different sizes and a carpet, objects that already in their names immediately make explicit the reference to various and different elements of Sardinian cultural identity: the Nuragic bronzes, the native plants typical of the area, the terracotta jug representative of a typical and characteristic daily life. In all the pieces that make up the collection, the decorative motifs are enclosed in a frame that reflects the pattern of the weaving of the Sardinian saddlebag, while the initials of the designer and the weaver have been inserted in the four corners of the artifacts, a reference to the ancient custom of weavers Sardinians to insert their initials in the artifacts they made.
«The encounter between the know-how of craftsmanship and the know-how of design has given rise to productions of great interest that demonstrate the great potential of this project – explains Antonello Cabras, president of the Fondazione di Sardegna -. A potential that lies as much in the opportunity for the territory to keep alive the memory of its traditions as in the opportunities for development that the innovation process brings with it “. «We are very happy with the presence of a selection of projects born from the exchange and dialogue between internationally renowned designers and Sardinian artisans – adds Stefano Boeri -. The Milan Triennale immediately supported ArtiJanus / ArtiJanas. He followed the scientific direction, worked with the Foundation, with Barbara Argiolas and Barbara Cadeddu and with the curators Alberto Cavalli and Roberta Morittu for the organization of the residences and the Festival in Orani in 2021. Today this meeting between project and intelligent hands sees a further development that is linked to the Triennale’s original mission: the enhancement of all the arts and crafts in its highest expressive form ».