Davide Medri

Mosaic maker

©Roberto Ugolini

©Ezio Manciucca

©Roberto Ugolini

Reflecting tradition through a modern lens

Davide uses mirrors to make his contemporary mosaic pieces
His academic education and training revolved around the study of mosaics
He feels very connected to his hometown Cesena and draws inspiration from it

Davide Medri is a contemporary mosaicist who gives traditional techniques dating back to Ancient Rome a modern interpretation, as he replaces marble with mirror in his works. Born and raised in Cesena, Ravenna and its influence are fundamental to his artistic identity. With his background in interior design, Davide designs and makes sculptures, mirrors and elements of furniture. His research delves into the role of light and its magic. "I am inspired by art, design and Byzantine mosaics as well as the relationships I have with people," he says. Davide’s work follows the traditional path – he prepares the mortar and cuts mirror into tesserae that he carefully lays, drawing energy from the light reflected by the mirrors.

Interview

©Ezio Manciucca

©Davide Medri

How is your craft linked to Cesena?: Romagna and Ravenna are territories imbued with the strength and charm of the mosaic technique, capable of defining a visual language that is still very powerful today. The combination of tesserae and fragments of light is what links this land to my artistic research.
What value does light bring to your work?: Light means energy. It is a very powerful element that I try to encapsulate in my works, which is why I research the use of mirrors. I want to capture light that would then reflect and interact, both with the environment and the viewer, in a way they can literally see the reflection of their own eyes.
Has there been a memorable moment in your professional life?: I designed, created and oversaw the installation of a 9-metre-high sculpture for a client in Lübeck. When the scaffolding was removed, I felt moved to see how organic the sculpture looked in its surrounding environment, as though it had always been there.
What inspires you?: I like to reference art, design and Byzantine mosaics. Another source of inspiration is the relationship I have with people and how I interact with them. When I opened my studio in 1995, my friends commissioned my first works to decorate their homes.

Davide Medri is a master artisan: he began his career in 1996 and he started teaching in 2002