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  "THE FAENZA PRIZE". INNOVATION FOR CERAMIC ART


The International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza, founded in 1908 by Gaetano Ballardini, is one of the most important cultural in the field of ceramics all over the world and it offers a wide example of the production from the origin to nowadays. Visitors can explore the history of ceramics: from Pre-Columbian pottery to Greek and Etruscan ceramics, moving on through the Islamic Middle East and ending up in China, Japan and Korea.
A special section is devoted to the tradition of Faenza, which name is synonymous of ceramics, in fact in the world the word faience means majolica. The production of Faenza is represented by a complete range of ceramics from the 14th to the 17th century divided according to their styles. Next there is the section of Italian Majolica of the Renaissance divided according to the Italian provinces. The retrospective section ends with ceramics between 17th and 19th century.
The International Museum also pays attention to contemporary ceramics, a special section is dedicated to the International Competition of Contemporary Ceramics Premio Faenza, a biennial competition that has been taking place since 1938. Another section includes masterpieces by world wide known artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Lèger, Chagall, Fontana, Burri, Melotti, Baj, Arman and Carlo Zauli (his exhibition l'Alchimia delle Terre is planned from May 31 to October 27, 2002).
The "Faenza Prize" - competition and exhibition of the mentioned by jury works - take an important role of valorization, renovation and promotion of ceramics not only for artistic and decorative aspetcs but also for functionality and design. Last edition of the Premio Faenza - helded in 2001 and won by Ana Cecilia Hillar with Sombra del viento - had expressed the results of a plurality of complex researches. Not only aestetic researches but also technological experiences regarding clay and glaze later utilized by design industry of ceramics gift and tiles.
It will be also necessary to attend May 2003 in order to know the results of the 53 rd edition of the prize (see program and participation card published in our section news) but, already now, we can assure, that the event will be an important contribution in order to delineate a profile of the international technical and creative ceramics project in the third millenium.

Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza
Via Campidori 2 - 48018 Faenza (RA)
tel. +39 546 697311
fax +39 546 27141
e-mail: micfaenza@provincia.ra.it
www.micfaenza.org
Text by:
Umberto Rovelli

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