Berlin-Hamburg-Berlin-Rome

I have just returned from a trip to Germany.. 2 days in Berlin, 5 days in Hamburg, then again 2 days in Berlin and back to Rome..
Before this trip, even though I read a lot about Berlin, I was expecting to see a typical German city.. But it is not, Berlin is an impressive, old, yet new city..

...then Hamburg.. Hamburg is a modern city and obviously rich! now there are two projects in progress in the urban scale.. one of them is Hafen City; the other is IBA.. they are very different from each other but mainly urban transformation projects... I would love to go back there a couple of years later to see how these projects integrated to the city..


In Berlin, I have also visited Berlin ceramics museum.. I was hoping to see a larger collection to have an idea about German ceramics but it is a tiny museum with a very small collection..

trip to north Italy

I ended 2010 with an amazing trip to North Italy. I visited my friend Maria Grazia in Torbole Sul Garda.. [I mentioned about her in one of my last posts here ].. Even though most people told me that it is not the best time of the year for visiting that part of Italy, I simply adored... She showed me around her house, her town and towns nearby: Arco, Rovereto, Riva del Garda.. She has a beautiful studio within her newly renovated house by lake Garda.. It was a very nice trip, aside from freezing cold weather!!!
She has taken me to MART, a modern art museum in Rovereto designed by Mario Botta.. Rovereto, with around 40.000 inhabitants, not a big city and it was totally surprising to see this relatively big, modern museum surrounded by 18th century buildings.. There was 4 exhibitions at the same time and main exhibition "Modigliani Scultura" was very impressive.. even though it was not an extensive collection, all pieces were meticulously chosen.. Another exhibition was "Mario Botta. Architetture 1960-2010" where you may see all his projects with original sketches, models, photographs and drawings..

when it comes to ceramics... not only I have seen beautiful pieces in her studio, but also she has taken me other places where I could see different examples of ceramics.. when we were walking around Rovereto, we have visited a studio/shop of a local ceramist Antonio Asinari. He has a very distinctive style that you can see in his whistle here below... Yes, it is a whistle!
She also introduced me to her ceramist friend, Giuseppe Marcadent. It was such a great pleasure to meet him and to visit his studio.. He mainly makes stoves in ceramics -renovation works or new ones- but he also makes delicate, precise porcelain artworks.. I am so fortunate to have one of these beauties as a present. you may also see it here below.. Now they sit on my shelf together with my other ceramic treasures.

it's been a long time..

it's been a long time since my last post to this blog..
During this period, a few changes happened in my life which kept me away from ceramics.. to summarize in a nutshell: I quit my job and came to Italy.
I am in Rome right now.. I came here 2 weeks ago and will stay till the end of January... At the beginning, I was hoping to keep making ceramics but then, I decided to be observer rather than maker here.. So, even though I have found a small studio very near to where I stay, I will not make ceramics for two months..
I will use this period to recharge..
Last two weeks, I have seen some extraordinary examples of architecture either from the past, or today.. I have seen 3 of my favourite architects’ works in a week.. It is just amazing..
I have been in MAXXI, Museum of Modern Art designed by Zaha Hadid..


...in Auditorium Parco della Musica designed by Renzo Piano..

Museo dell’Ara Pacis designed by Richard Meier..

And I have seen a very impressive exhibition “trentannidisegno” : design works of Antonio Romana and his office “Inarea” .. They have such a creativity that puts a smile on your face.. It is just impossible not to adore the wit and creativity of these people...

sketchbook: Castel Sant'Angelo

"...Through my work which is inspired by architecture, I want to grab viewer’s attention with familiarity; to make them contemplate and be surprised by new perspectives on each move and change of light with details. My sculptural forms are also influenced by past even though they refer to future.
...I want them to be intellectually stimulating, to reflect complexity not the chaos, not to be “read” easily. My aim is to create forms which are strong and dynamic but quiet and tranquil; detailed and complex but has its own rhythm and order. .."
This is a part of my artist statement... when I see Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, I thought "this is exactly what I mean". With its pure form, dramatic details and textures created in years, it is most dignified, strong and intriguing building I have ever seen..

I hope one day, I can achieve to make one piece, either as ceramist or an architect, close in complexity, dignity and excellence to this amazing building..

sketchbook: inspired by architecture

My inspiration comes from manmade things: everyday objects, some scenes from movies, other people's works: pots, sculptures.. but mostly architecture, in all styles, from all ages, with different functions.. Castles, houses, skyscrapers, bridges, towers.. It could be a building or a whole city.

Since my education is about creating forms up to a point, I feel confident about form. But I cannot say the same about surface... Now, this is what I should focus on..