Bertozzi & Casoni

When art mimics modern life

• They met in the famous ceramics town of Faenza
• Their partnership has endured for 40 years
• Their eclectic inspiration ranges from classical forms to Youtube

When two masters join forces, the result can be so powerful that the partnership becomes legendary. This is the case with Giampaolo Bertozzi and Stefano Casoni, whose paths crossed in the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica in Faenza – a centre of excellence that unfortunately has since closed – and who met again at the end of their studies. “I am three years older than Stefano,” says Giampaolo. “As soon as I obtained my diploma I opened my own workshop. Stefano asked if he could assist me in his free time from school, in order to practise and earn some money. When he graduated, it seemed only natural to continue our collaboration. So in 1980 we set up Bertozzi & Casoni.”

Where

Interview

© Bernardo Ricci

© Bertozzi & Casoni

Thanks to your style, your name is very well-known among collectors.

In the beginning we remained faithful to tradition, and dedicated ourselves to painted majolica. Then in the 1990s we started to push towards industrial materials. Both of us agreed on the idea of focusing on the material representation of our times, of everything that is ephemeral, transitory and perishable.

Can you explain the reason for this choice?

Our interest in the extremes of civilisation is the result of the background that we share: both Stefano and I were born in the countryside, where the days follow each other monotonously. In our eyes, the world of big cities and unrestrained consumerism seemed to be artistically more interesting.

Have you ever disagreed during your 40-year partnership?

Many times, but mostly over practical problems. Stefano is more of a grasshopper, whereas I’m an ant, so our discussions have always been over the investments that we had to make, because all our works are time-consuming and we cannot afford to make mistakes.

How did the other master ceramicists in Faenza welcome your work?

Some still consider us to be heretics, mainly because of the subjects we have chosen to develop: for example, our first product, which we made according to the criteria of traditional majolica, was a Madonna mowing the lawn.

Bertozzi & Casoni are master artisans: they began their career in 1980 and they started teaching in 1990