antonio aricò links ceramics and seashells in tableware collection

antonio aricò links ceramics and seashells in tableware collection
(above) the result is a slightly baroque collection with organic shapes and lustered finishes
image © johnny sisavath

antonio aricò is an italian creative who pays close attention to the relation between arts, crafts, and design, focusing on artisanal and  strong artistic identities. this consideration to traditional techniques and local practices, combined with an emphasis on details and the quality of materials used, mark the main characteristics of his practice, which often deals with the creation of everyday objects.

his motivation came from summer days swimming in the ionic sea for this tableware collection

last fall aricò was invited by judith glover, an industrial design professor at RMIT in melbourne, australia, to lead a three-month workshop aimed at the design and development of a ceramic handmade tableware collection. his motivation came from summer, swimming in the ionic sea in calabria, italy, where he saw a link between ceramics and shells and decided to create the ‘australian shells’ collection. the process started with the sketches, then went to the making of the moulds, the slip casting, and finally the glazing. the result is a slightly baroque collection with organic shapes and lustrious finishes.

the designer at work

antonio explains: ‘I wanted this collection to be a funny and graceful way to describe australian hidden beauties often connected to the idyllic idea of sea, lightness and exotic feelings. I wanted to use basic cultural stereotypes and create a surreal and dreamy imaginary around them.’ he then adds that, ‘transforming organic and natural shapes into daily objects is an approach very much used in the past and is very characteristic of a european art and craft movement.’the starting point were the sketches