Bold design and performances
- Elisabetta and Carlo founded Studio Elica in 1990
- Ceramics meets scenography, fashion and performing arts
- Their signature pieces are heart-shaped porcelain ex-votos
Elisabetta Bovina and Carlo Pastore have known each other since 1984, when they were both studying ceramics at the Institute for Artistic Industries in Faenza. Working together came naturally to them, as they’ve always shared an interest not only in ceramics but also in bold design and the crossover between different materials and arts. In 1990 Studio Elica was born. "Our goal is to interpret ceramics in many new, different, even unusual ways. Once, for example, we made ceramic clothes and used them to dress the saints of a very peculiar tableau vivant," they explain of their approach. “Mutilations” was the first sensational performance by the duo: the first of a long series of projects where ceramics meets scenography, fashion and performing arts.
Interview
- Why is porcelain your favourite material?
- Elisabetta: Porcelain is one of the most difficult materials to deal with, because of its thinness and its firing at very high temperatures. White porcelain is like a sheet of paper, where you can write and draw whatever you like.
- Do you have different roles in the creative process?
- Carlo: Elisabetta is the one in charge of shapes and formal aspects in general. I'm also an illustrator, so I focus on decorations and graphic details. Of course we discuss every single piece together.
- Do you have a signature piece?
- Elisabetta: The In alto i cuori (hearts in the air) wall vases collection: a series of heart-shaped porcelain ex-votos, decorated with graphic and sculptural themes. Since 2009, we have created more than 50 different versions, all unique, handcrafted and painted.
- What do you think is the reason for your hearts success?
- Carlo: They are funny and ironic, playing with commonplaces and clichés about Italy. They are a mix of sacred and profane. And they convey contemporary messages through the language of love.
Elisabetta Bovina & Carlo Pastore are master artisans: they began their career in 1994 and they started teaching in 1998
Where
Elisabetta Bovina & Carlo Pastore
